Nigerian-American Founder Yinka Ogunbiyi Gives First Look at HaloBraid’s Braid-Assist Robot
Nigerian-American Founder Yinka Ogunbiyi Gives First Look at HaloBraid’s Braid-Assist Robot
For millions of people who wear braids, salon appointments can last for hours. Now, a Nigerian-American entrepreneur is aiming to change that experience with a piece of technology designed specifically for textured hair.
Yinka Ogunbiyi, a Nigerian-American biomechanical engineer and co-founder of HaloBraid, has unveiled the first public demonstration of the company’s braid-assist robot, offering a glimpse into what could become one of the most significant innovations in the hair-braiding industry in decades.
The newly released demo showcases HaloBraid assisting with the braiding process by handling repetitive weaving motions while professional stylists remain in control of the hairstyle. According to the company, each braid is started by hand, processed through the device, and then finished by the stylist, ensuring that creativity and expertise stay firmly in human hands.
HaloBraid says its technology can help complete individual braids up to five times faster than manual braiding alone, potentially reducing appointment times while easing the physical strain that many stylists experience from long hours of repetitive hand movements.
The idea for HaloBraid was born during the COVID-19 lockdown after Ogunbiyi spent four days braiding her own hair. The experience led her to question why a hairstyle with thousands of years of history had seen so little technological advancement. Together with co-founder David Afolabi, she began developing a solution tailored to the needs of both stylists and clients.
Importantly, Ogunbiyi has repeatedly emphasised that HaloBraid is designed as an assistive tool rather than a replacement for professional braiders. The technology focuses on automating the most repetitive aspects of the process while preserving the stylist’s artistic control and client relationship.
Investor confidence in the concept has been strong. Earlier this year, HaloBraid announced $7 million in seed funding led by Seven Seven Six, the venture capital firm founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. The startup has also reported interest from more than 7,000 salons ahead of its commercial rollout.
As beauty technology continues to evolve, HaloBraid represents a rare example of innovation focused on a longstanding practice deeply rooted in African and Black culture. Whether the device becomes a salon staple remains to be seen, but Ogunbiyi’s first public demonstration has already sparked conversations about the future of braiding, hairstyling efficiency, and the role of robotics in beauty services.
Photo Credit: HaloBraid
Source: HaloBraid, media reports.
