A futuristic human washing machine that amazed visitors at the Osaka World Expo is now available for purchase in Japan, a company spokeswoman confirmed on Friday.
The device allows users to lie down in a pod, close the lid, and be washed like clothes in a washing machine without the spin while music plays.
The prototype, dubbed the “human washer of the future,” drew long queues during the six month Expo, which ended in October after attracting over 27 million visitors.
The machine is an updated version of a product first showcased when Osaka hosted the event in 1970.
“Our (company) president was inspired by that as a 10 year old boy at the time,” Science spokeswoman Sachiko Maekura told AFP.
The machine “not only washes your body but also your soul,” she added, while also monitoring users’ heartbeats and other vital signs.
Interest in commercialising the device surged after a US resort company contacted Science, prompting the firm to move from prototype to production.
A hotel in Osaka purchased the first unit and is preparing to offer the service to guests.
Other buyers include Yamada Denki, a major consumer electronics retailer in Japan, which hopes the novelty will attract visitors to its stores.
“Because part of the appeal of this machine is rarity, we plan to produce only about 50 units,” Maekura said. Local media reported that the retail price is 60 million yen ($385,000).