As I found myself lying on the sleek, navy-blue massage table at Aescape’s headquarters in New York, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation. This tech company’s debut innovation is no ordinary piece of spa equipment. It boasts two state-of-the-art robotic massage arms that hover just above the shoulders of the user. The experience is quite different from a typical massage, as the user remains fully clothed in a skintight, Spandex-like outfit designed by Aescape to create the perfect amount of friction between the user and the machine.
The digital touchscreen located at the headrest of the table features a detailed scan of the user’s body, thanks to the table’s AI technology. This scan outlines the duration of time set to be spent on each section of the upper body and glutes, while also providing a pressure adjustment control. Users can also choose to select music through the touchscreen, with the machine saving these preferences for future sessions. The massage begins at the push of a button, and the heated robot arms move in tandem, expertly gliding along the shoulders and spine of the user.
Aescape recently announced its first hospitality partner: the iLa Only Spa at the Lotte New York Palace in Midtown Manhattan. More hospitality partnerships are also in the pipeline. Although pricing for Aescape experiences may vary, guests at the iLa Only Spa can currently book a 30-minute Aescape massage for $75. The founder and CEO of Aescape, Eric Litman, developed the product in collaboration with hospitality professionals to address his own chronic neck pain. Litman emphasizes that the robotic massage table is meant to complement existing spa offerings, not replace human massage therapists.
Aescape’s product is positioned as a solution for recovery-focused treatments and for time-pressed consumers seeking a more targeted and efficient massage experience. The robotic table also provides an opportunity to reach consumers hesitant about traditional massages, due to privacy concerns or discomfort with human touch. For hotels, the Aescape table offers several advantages, such as extending spa operating hours and serving more guests, particularly during peak times when human therapists are fully booked. The business model is based on a licensing arrangement, with hotels paying a monthly fee to access the technology.
Tristina Damico, spa director of the iLa Only Spa at the Lotte New York Palace, notes that the Aescape massage table is a perfect fit for the large hotel, catering to corporate business attendees with tight schedules. The convenience of a shorter, more targeted robotic massage experience has helped boost spa bookings and enhance the overall guest experience. Massage therapists at the spa have also embraced the technology, recognizing that it offers a unique and innovative alternative to traditional massage techniques.
The introduction of robotic massage technology in the spa industry represents a significant advancement in wellness treatments. With its blend of AI technology, personalization, and efficiency, Aescape’s robotic massage table offers a modern solution for both consumers and hospitality businesses. As the demand for innovative spa experiences continues to grow, robotic massage is poised to become an integral part of the future of spa treatments.