Nigerian-American Harvard graduate develops world’s first braid-assist robot

Yinka Ogunbiyi, a Nigerian-American engineer and Harvard graduate, has pioneered HaloBraid, a groundbreaking robot designed to alleviate the physical toll on hairstylists and streamline salon operations. This invention, hailed as the world's first braid-assist robot, has already attracted significant attention, raising $7 million in seed funding and amassing a waitlist of over 7,000 salons.

The US Mission in Nigeria announced the innovation, highlighting its potential for "American innovation, global impact." The substantial funding round was led by Seven Seven Six, Alexis Ohanian's venture capital firm, with contributions from AlleyCorp and Bling Capital. This investment will fuel the market rollout of HaloBraid, a testament to its perceived value in the professional hair care industry.

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Nigerian-American engineer & Harvard grad Yinka Ogunbiyi built HaloBraid, the world’s first braid-assist robot, easing strain on stylists & saving salons time. $7M raised, 7,000+ salons waitlisted. American innovation, global impact. #AmericanExcellence in action.

Ogunbiyi, who holds advanced degrees from Harvard, developed the concept during the COVID-19 pandemic after experiencing the labor-intensive process of installing her own braids. Collaborating with co-founder David Afolabi, she aimed to create an automated solution. HaloBraid is engineered to handle the repetitive mid-shaft braiding, a time-consuming and physically demanding aspect of the styling process. While the stylist initiates and completes the process, the robot manages the intricate mid-section work. Ogunbiyi emphasizes that the technology is intended to assist, not replace, human stylists, enriching the experience by reducing strain and saving time.

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I don’t think anything will get lost from the experience. If anything, it enriches it. Technology simply assists with the repetitive movements that consume the most time and place the greatest strain on the body.