Mirai Human Washing Machine: Japan’s Automated Hygiene Capsule

In Japan, a machine is currently attracting plenty of attention that sounds like a gag from a sci-fi comedy – yet it is real. Rather than socks and T-shirts, it places an entire person inside a fully automated washing cabin. What may seem far-fetched drew tens of thousands of eager testers at a trade show and could radically reshape everyday care for people who need support.

A ‘human washing machine’ that resembles a space capsule

Developed by Japanese company Science Co., the Mirai Human Washing Machine looks more like a spacecraft cockpit than a bathroom fixture. The rounded capsule measures 2.30 metres long; the user lies down inside, the lid closes and the washing cycle begins automatically.

Instead of brushes or a shower head, it uses so-called microbubbles: tiny bubbles of water that flow across the skin under pressure. They are intended to lift away dirt and skin oils gently, without vigorous rubbing, flannels or much conventional foam.

The machine washes and dries the entire body in around 15 minutes – the user has virtually nothing to do.

Throughout the process, the system keeps the water at roughly 38 degrees. The body is then dried using warm air. For the person inside, the experience is said to feel more like a spa treatment than a quick shower after work.

AI reads emotions and adjusts light and sound

However, Mirai is designed to be more than a high-tech shower. The capsule contains various sensors that monitor physical data and reactions. According to the manufacturer and reports from Japan, the machine can use this information to make a broad assessment of the person’s emotional state.

The control system then uses these signals to manage lighting, imagery and music:

• calming projections on the capsule’s inner wall
• adapted lighting, such as warmer light when stress is detected
• music or soundscapes intended to promote relaxation

The concept is for personal care to feel like a brief wellbeing session. For people who find showering difficult, this could create an emotionally far more comfortable setting than a conventional care routine with support staff in the bathroom.

40,000 people wanted to try the machine

The system was unveiled at the Expo in Osaka, where the capsule generated a genuine buzz. According to the companies involved, more than 40,000 requests were made by people wanting to try the machine themselves – considerably more than the event could accommodate.

Japanese electronics giant Yamada Holdings was sufficiently convinced by the response to secure distribution rights. The machine is now set to be used and promoted in a major flagship store in Tokyo. Initially, the focus is likely to be on publicity and pilot schemes rather than mass sales.

What began as a trade-show gimmick is gradually becoming a serious product category: automated hygiene with an emphasis on comfort.

Why care facilities are taking notice of the human washing machine

At first glance, the human washing machine appears to be a luxury gadget for technology enthusiasts. On closer inspection, though, there is another area where it could have a practical purpose: care and medical provision.

People with severely limited mobility – including care-home residents, patients recovering from operations and people with significant disabilities – often rely on assistance with personal care. Showering, bathing and drying all require staff time and physical effort, while those receiving help can often find the experience undignified.

An automated capsule could offer several benefits here:

• greater independence, as the process can largely take place without another person’s hands
• reduced pressure on care staff, freeing up time for other duties
• consistent water and temperature control, which is gentler on the skin and circulation
• clear, repeatable hygiene standards

Staff shortages in care are becoming ever more pressing, particularly in countries with ageing populations. A machine that carries out part of basic personal care fits squarely into this debate, even if the concept still feels unfamiliar.

The price is extraordinary – yet the machine still sends a message

The catch is the cost. A report from Japan says that the Mirai currently costs around 60 million yen, or approximately €327,000 per unit. That is entirely unrealistic for private households and represents a major investment even for care homes or hospitals.

The comparison with a conventional bath is revealing. A full bath uses approximately 200 litres of water on average. At a cost of just over €0.87 per filling, the day-to-day expense remains manageable. The Mirai uses around 120 litres per cycle, costing roughly €0.52. In water terms alone, it therefore saves about €0.35 each time it is used.

Based on water costs alone, the machine would have to operate for many thousands of years before its purchase price paid for itself.

This makes clear that no one would buy the system simply to cut water bills. Its value lies in comfort, automation and potentially lower staffing costs in facilities. Realistically, it could only be financed through leasing arrangements, partnerships with health insurers or public funding for the care sector.

Automated hygiene has a longer history than many people realise

The concept of fully automated body washing is not entirely new. Back in 1970, also at an Expo in Osaka, electronics group Sanyo presented an automated ultrasonic bath. It was intended to clean, massage and dry the user, again in around 15 minutes. At the time, it remained a prototype because the technology was too underdeveloped and demand was too limited.

The starting point is different today. Sensors are smaller, AI is commonplace, and societies in many industrialised countries are ageing rapidly. Mirai builds on earlier visions but, for the first time, combines market-ready components: microbubbles, biometric sensors, software controls and a clearly defined target audience.

How microbubble technology works – and where it is already used

Microbubbles are already used in other settings, including whirlpool systems, spas and specialist skin treatments. These minute bubbles have a very large surface area relative to their volume. When they burst against the skin, they mechanically dislodge dirt and oils without requiring intense rubbing.

This may benefit sensitive skin. Older people and patients with chronic skin conditions in particular often tolerate harsh rubbing poorly. A carefully controlled microbubble treatment could be gentler in such cases. At the same time, the system must be calibrated so that it does not cause a sensation of cold and protects sensitive areas of the body.

Where the human washing machine reaches its limits

For all the appeal of a fully automated washing cycle, several issues remain. Not everyone will be comfortable lying naked in an enclosed capsule. Claustrophobia, a loss of control and simple discomfort are genuine concerns. There is also the question of how the machine would accommodate very different body shapes and impairments.

Data protection is another issue. The capsule processes biometric data and reactions. Who manages that information? Is it stored, anonymised or used to improve the product? These questions matter particularly in a medical setting.

There is also a cultural dimension. Bathing and showering are intimate routines, often linked to rituals, scents and particular movements. All of that is handed over to a machine. In a care home, this may be a relief; in a private bathroom, it may feel more like a loss of personal space.

What this could mean for German-speaking countries

Whether, or when, a human washing machine such as Mirai might appear in Germany, Austria or Switzerland remains entirely uncertain. Its first possible use could be in pilot projects run by large hospitals or care-home operators that already rely on robotics and digital assistance systems.

In these countries, regulators are likely to raise questions about safety, hygiene certification and medical-device approval. Insurers will also examine closely whether such a system offers long-term economic value – for example, if it reduces bathroom falls or care-related skin problems.

It will be interesting to see whether this exceptionally expensive pioneering solution eventually leads to simplified, more affordable versions for specific groups: perhaps modular shower cabins with partial automation, integrated sensors and AI control, without costing as much as a flat.

One thing is certain: Mirai is more than a curious trade-show gadget. It marks a point at which technology starts automating even the most intimate everyday routines. Whether it is ultimately seen as a benefit for care or as another symbol of an over-technologised society will depend greatly on who retains control – human or machine.