A robot has been designed that will brush your teeth for you, in just 60 seconds instead of the recommended two minutes.
If you’re the type of person who swears by a morning routine including time blocked out for an ice bath, green tea and 50 press-ups before 6am, the efficiencies here could be compelling.
The robotic toothbrush was invented in Japan, and to use it you just have to open your mouth and hold up the g.EN device.
It has 16 tiny brushes that will complete a thorough clean of all your pearly whites, top and bottom, ‘in all angles at the same time’ in less time than it takes to eat a sugary biscuit.
Developed using tech from Waseda University Robotics Laboratory in Tokyo, the brush has been getting a lot of attention locally because its makers are now crowdfunding to bring it into mass production.
The funding page, which has already smashed its £107,000 target, reads: ‘It is used by a wide range of users, from busy business people to children and the elderly who have difficulty operating a toothbrush, and those with physical limitations.
‘We also offer an “oral stimulation attachment” that helps maintain and improve oral function.
Footage of the brush, made by Genics, has been viewed thousands of times on TV channels in Japan, with some saying they feared vomiting if they used it, but others asking for automated flossing to be developed next too.
‘The g.eN is the culmination of a decade of research and development that combines robotics, ergonomics, and dentistry, and is a product designed with the desire to “make tooth brushing less stressful and more reliable”.’
The idea of a self-brushing toothbrush may sound silly, but its makers hope it will give users better independence, such as those with disabilities who may struggle to operate a regular handheld brush.
A study published in 2022 showed it could achieve an average plaque retention of 22.4%, which was considered to be ‘good oral hygiene’ equivalent to or better than handheld brushing.
The latest prototype is 220g, supports USB-C charging, and has different modes including ‘easy’, ‘meticulous’, ‘intensive care’, and ‘children’.
If you’re tempted, it’s currently priced at £155.66 (¥32,868), which is roughly the same as AI-powered electric toothbrushes on the market, which just track which teeth you have brushed best yourself.
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