Entering the dimly lit room of the spa, I was already looking forward to a peaceful healing experience: an hour-long full-body massage to relax and rejuvenate me.
But a recent appointment at ila Only Spa at the luxurious Lotte New York Palace Hotel was unlike any spa experience in the past.
Although I was escorted into the room, the massage was performed by a machine—specifically, an artificial intelligence-powered robot provided by New York-based lifestyle robotics company Aescape.
Entrepreneur Eric Litman founded Aescape in 2017 after he said he suffered a herniated disc in his neck from frequent flying.
He said he flew frequently and needed massages every day for months. Those appointments got him thinking: For someone like him who needs regular massages, are there any better options than a day at the spa?
Littman secured $80 million in funding and spent seven years in research and development before launching the world’s first customizable massage robot in March.
Lotte New York Palace Hotel was the first hotel to partner with Aescape; the company leased the machine and launched the treatment on July 18.
But this is just the beginning. Aescape plans to launch multiple partnerships later this year, Litman said.
The Aescape is a perfect fit for the 900-room Lotte New York Palace Hotel, which attracts both business and leisure travelers, said Tristina Damico, the hotel’s spa director and licensed massage therapist.
Since its launch, many people have made reservations for the robot, including hotel guests and New Yorkers who live or work in midtown Manhattan, she said. She said because the massages are oil-free, they often schedule them during lunch hours.
“It’s a quick way to charge,” D’Amico said.
Littman said on-demand massage bookings will fill a gap in the global wellness market, which is expected to reach $7.4 trillion by 2025, according to the Global Wellness Institute, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization.
“I started researching why people got massages and was surprised to find that most people (wanted) to fix something going on in their bodies,” he said. “A lot of people want more specificity – more pressure here, less attention there – and have challenges in achieving that in a way that works for them.”
Littman said a shortage of massage therapists in the expanding industry also prompted the founding of Aescape, although he acknowledged the two are very different.
Therapist styles and skills vary, but Aescape’s robots are designed to replicate the same experience with every visit. It stores the customer’s data, which can be found on every machine.
“We preserve body preferences,” Litman said. “The idea is that we are creating a massage service that gets to know you over time.”
What does robot massage feel like?
For those who don’t feel comfortable taking off their clothes in front of strangers, Aescape can solve that problem. Clothing is required for this massage.
Before the treatment, I put on Aerwear, the brand’s proprietary spandex-like garment designed to reduce friction between robot and human skin. After changing my clothes, the waiter came back to teach me how to operate the robot.
I lay face down on the massage table, which is firmer than a typical spa bed. It also comes with armrests, footrests, and a face opening with a tablet underneath where I can adjust the table and music to suit my comfort.
Aescape only focuses on the back, so unfortunately, there is no leg or foot massage. Sensors scanned my body—the system is said to capture 1.2 million data points to map the user’s muscle structure—and then its future arms and knuckles moved up and down my back in a consistent, parallel motion.
The appendage, although hard to the touch, was warm. The screen showed me every step of the massage and allowed me to control the pressure.
I usually ask my masseuse to apply moderate pressure, but the Aescape’s middle setting felt intense. During most of my massages, I could tolerate minimal force from the robot. That said, toward the end of the massage, I comfortably turned the device up on the buttocks section.
I feel the machine’s movements coincide with my breathing, and I can pause the robot when I need a break. With the push of a button, I can move, lift my head, and even stand up for a quick stretch.
With this in mind, I think Aescape will benefit travelers looking for short-term, flexible spa treatments. The robot could also appeal to people looking for more affordable and easy-to-book massages – escape classes can be booked through the app. A 30-minute massage at Lotte New York Palace is $75.
Escape massages can be booked via the app.
Source: Escape
My original appointment was postponed due to equipment maintenance, but the robot was back up and running the next day.
As someone who deals with chronic pain, I’ve found that the kneading, rubbing, and pressure of human hands can do wonders for relieving discomfort. However, I didn’t get similar results from AI-powered bots.
I didn’t find the session relaxing or feel as spoiled as a spa day, but the experience was a fun escape from the chaos of midtown Manhattan.
