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 cut at home.
How the AI 'Cutting Coach' Works
Revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the device named GLYDE uses an AI 'cutting coach' and 'auto fade' technology. The process begins in a companion mobile app, where users select their desired hairstyle from a pre-approved library. Once chosen, the user – or an inexperienced volunteer – simply runs the clippers over the head.
The clippers are packed with sensors that track motion and blade angle. Onboard motors then compare this real-time data to the digital haircut template and automatically adjust the cutting depth. This means complex styles like fades can be executed in a single pass, with the blades moving independently to create the gradient effect.
Safety Features for Nervous Novices
To prevent disastrous errors, GLYDE has incorporated several fail-safes. Users first don a special 'fade band' headband, which acts as a constant reference point for the AI. If the device detects the user is holding it at the wrong angle or starting from an incorrect position, the blades will not deploy at all.
Furthermore, if the cutting speed or angle changes suddenly mid-trim, the blades instantly retract to avoid gouging. The clippers themselves feature a small screen showing the cutting zone and blade depth, and even include a spirit-level display to ensure a straight, level hold.
Future Updates and Release Details
Currently, styles are limited to a tested library, but future plans are ambitious. The company intends to allow users to upload their own haircut templates and share results. GLYDE even suggests future updates could include options for beard and body trimming. The onboard AI is also slated to gain voice controls and the ability to recommend styles directly.
The startup is confident enough to claim its technology can deliver a cut with 'zero mistakes'. While an official release date is pending, the company expects to start shipping the GLYDE clippers in the summer of this year. They are projected to cost around £110 (approximately $150) and will be sold via GLYDE's website and selected online retailers.
The unveiling was part of a wave of innovative personal tech at CES 2024, which also saw L'Oreal's LED anti-ageing face mask and health startup Vivoo's hormone-sensing menstrual pads.
