A Nigerian-born engineer, Yinka Ogunbiyi, has developed an automated hair-braiding machine that its developers say can help hairstylists complete braids up to five times faster.
The device, called HaloBraid, is designed to speed up professional hairstyling while reducing the physical strain associated with hours of repetitive braiding.
Ogunbiyi, a Harvard graduate and biomechanical engineer, developed the technology to support hairstylists rather than replace them, combining automation with the skills required to prepare hair, create braids and finish hairstyles.
To use the device, a stylist sections the hair, applies the necessary products and starts the braid manually before feeding it into the machine. HaloBraid then handles the repetitive weaving, while the stylist completes and seals the ends.
The technology aims to shorten salon appointments and ease the workload of professional braiders while allowing them to retain control over the finished hairstyle.
Ogunbiyi said the idea was inspired by her childhood experiences of having her hair braided and conversations with hairstylists and clients about the time and physical effort involved.
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“My braid story starts at age four, sitting between my mum’s legs as she braided my hair for the first time,” she said.
“Since then, I’ve spent thousands of hours getting my hair braided — and heard the same story from stylists and clients again and again: braiding is beautiful, but it takes too much time and too much strain.”
Drawing on her biomechanical engineering background, Ogunbiyi worked with hairstylists, designers and other professionals to develop a machine aimed at addressing the challenges associated with traditional braiding.
She said her mother, aunties, hairstylists and others familiar with spending long hours in salon chairs helped shape the project.
The venture has also secured $7m in seed funding in a round led by Seven Seven Six, the venture capital firm founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who is married to tennis champion Serena Williams.
The funding is expected to support the development of the technology as the company seeks to improve the braiding process for stylists and clients.
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