Robotic massage company Aescape, which promises “the world’s most advanced massage,” wants to be Uber for back rubs: An easy-to-book and affordable experience.
Newly available at the spa of the Lotte New York Palace hotel, the completely robotic 30-minute massage is coming to multiple Manhattan Equinox locations by the end of August.
And unlike the Palace’s upscale massages — which cost $260 for 60 minutes — Aescape massages start at $60 for a 30-minute massage ($75 at the Palace) which the company says is comparable to an hour since there are two robotic arms working with firm pressure the entire time.
But founder and CEO Eric Litman, who has been developing the technology for more than seven years, told The Post he isn’t trying to compete with traditional massages — or eliminate human jobs.
According to data from the International Spa Association (iSpa), there’s a shortage of 29,000 massage therapists in the US. Litman believes there is room in the $5.6 trillion wellness industry for automated services that can reach people who may not have the time or the money for a conventional massage.
“It’s not designed to be the experience you would have in a spa with a massage therapist,” Litman told The Post. “We think this can also become a tool for therapists … it’s an opportunity to extend their relationship with their clients by having something that can be done in between sessions.”
And then there is the most important question: How does a robotic massage actually feel?
After booking the massage through the company’s app, you start by changing into provided”Aerwear” — a slinky top-and-leggings set that prevents friction.
As you lie facedown on a massage table, sensors can scan your body and create a custom plan.
“Those sensors create a 3D model of your body that’s going to really personalize the massage … and between each visit, it’s going to remember you and know the things you like,” Litman explained.
Throughout the massage, a touch screen below the head cradle lets you make comfort tweaks: “You can change the pressure, change the music,change where on your body [the robot] is working,” Litman added.
The robotic orbs, made of a firm but soft foamy material, more closely resemble a human palm than fingers. Applying adjustable firm pressure, they were effective in stretching out my back and legs.
I missed the precision of human fingers digging into the knots of my back, but the convenience and reliability of Aescape are a serious plus.
Litman, who founded several media and tech companies prior to Aescape, launched the brand after experiencing pain that could only be alleviated by a daily massage that was, over time, costly and difficult to schedule.
Aescape owns the machines and licenses them to spas and gyms — and, potentially, sports arenas, private homes and offices in the future — for $250 per day.
“It was definitely a bit ahead of the curve. And I felt that in the earliest days, trying to raise money, trying to attract talent,” Litman told The Post from the company’s Flatiron headquarters. “This is the first real example of robots autonomously coming in contact with human bodies.”
But, he added, “You make a little bit of investment. You learn a bit, you evolve, you showcase, you involve people in the community who are inclined to get interested in things like this.”
And New York City is the best place to do that, Litman said.
This story is part of NYNext, a new editorial series that highlights New York City innovation across industries, as well as the personalities leading the way.
“There’s spectacular health and wellness talent here in the city, as well as people who understand the capital markets and how to finance this. There’s really good technical talent that’s grown over time as this has become such a startup hub.”
