Bad haircuts could soon be consigned to history thanks to a new gadget that puts artificial intelligence in charge of your trim. A startup has unveiled what it calls the world's first smart hair clipper, designed to let anyone achieve a salon-quality fade at home.
How the AI Clipper Works
The device, named GLYDE, was showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. It combines an AI 'cutting coach' with 'auto fade' technology. Users begin by selecting a hairstyle from a dedicated smartphone app. Once chosen, they simply run the clippers over their head.
The clippers feature built-in sensors that track motion and blade angle. Onboard motors compare this data to the digital haircut design and automatically adjust the cutting depth. This means the hair should be cut to the precise intended length, regardless of how the user holds the device.
For complex styles like fades, GLYDE includes a mask-like 'fade band' headband. This provides a constant reference point so the AI knows exactly where the fade should start. The blades move automatically during a single pass, supposedly eliminating the need for any barbering skill.
Safety Features for Nervous Users
GLYDE incorporates several safeguards to prevent DIY disasters. If the user suddenly changes speed or angle, the blades retract instantly to stop cutting. Similarly, if the clipper is held at the wrong angle or started from an incorrect position, the blades will not deploy at all.
The device itself has a screen showing cutting zone and blade depth, plus a spirit-level display to help users keep it straight. GLYDE is so confident it boasts of delivering cuts with 'zero mistakes'. The company claims a full haircut can be completed in under 10 minutes.
Future Updates and Availability
Currently, users choose from a library of pre-made styles tested on different head shapes. Future plans are more ambitious. The company intends to allow users to upload their own templates and share results. There is even talk of adding options for beard and body trimming.
As reported by The Verge, voice controls for the AI are also in development. Eventually, the onboard AI could recommend hairstyles to users directly. The GLYDE clippers are expected to start shipping in summer 2024 at a cost of around £110. They will be sold via the company's website and selected online retailers.
The unveiling at CES highlighted a trend of AI entering personal care. Other gadgets included a flexible LED face mask from L'Oreal and hormone-sensing menstrual pads from startup Vivoo. The rise of such technology echoes warnings from experts like Kai-Fu Lee, who predicts AI could displace half of all jobs within 15 years, though he notes it still lacks human creativity, empathy, and complex strategic planning.
