2 publishers · first seen Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:53 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 12:40 UTC
Yinka Ogunbiyi, a Nigerian-born engineer and entrepreneur, has demonstrated HaloBraid, a robotic device designed to help hairstylists complete individual braids up to five times faster. The device assists stylists by handling the repetitive weaving process after each braid is started by hand, reducing physical strain and appointment time while maintaining stylist control over the hairstyle. HaloBraid does not replace the stylist, who sections the hair, starts each braid manually, and finishes the ends after the device completes the middle section.
Ogunbiyi developed the technology to address the time and physical demands of braiding, drawing on her background in biomechanical engineering. The startup has raised $7 million in seed funding, led by Seven Seven Six, the venture capital firm founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. More than 7,000 salons are reportedly on the waiting list, and the company plans a phased rollout to selected stylists and salons.
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