Kérastase, in partnership with Withings, leader in connected health, has announced the launch of Kérastase Hair Coach Powered by Withings, the first connected brush. Developed in collaboration with L'Oréal Recherche et Innovation's Tech Incubator, this brush combines the advanced design and sensors developed by Withings with signal analysis algorithms (patent pending) developed by L'Oréal to assess hair quality and measure the effects of different hair care routines. It is accompanied by a mobile application providing access to additional data and personalized product recommendations to help users take better care of their hair.
The brush won this year's CES International Innovation Award, which recognizes consumer technology products that stand out for their design and engineering.
According to a report published by L'Oréal's scientific experts, studies have shown that brushing hair too vigorously damages the fiber, making it brittle and promoting the appearance of split ends. The Kérastase Hair Coach Powered by Withings brush minimizes these risks, with the help of numerous sensors that gather information on hair quality and how to brush. These sensors include:
- A microphone that records the sound generated by brushing and captures patterns to provide details on the appearance of frizz, split ends and breakage, as well as on the manageability, softness or dryness of the hair.
- 3-axis force sensors measure the force applied to hair and scalp during brushing.
- An accelerometer and gyroscope provide a more detailed analysis of brushing method and count the number of brush strokes, with haptic feedback to warn the user when his movements are too abrupt.
- Conductivity sensors determine whether the brush is being used on wet or dry hair to provide precise hair measurements. The brush itself is splash-resistant.
These sensors automatically transmit, via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, the data collected to a dedicated mobile application, which also takes into account meteorological factors, such as humidity, temperature, UV and wind, influencing styling and hair quality. The mobile application thus analyzes the way users brush their hair, taking into account their habits and environment to provide valuable information such as the hair quality index, data on the effectiveness of the brushing gesture, customized advice, and personalized recommendations for Kérastase products and hair rituals.
" Technology is transforming consumers' daily beauty routines, and smart devices can dramatically influence the way we care for our hair and skin. explains Guive Balooch, Director of Tech Incubator at L'Oréal Research & Innovation. By using connected technologies to update the concept of the hairbrush - an accessory used every day by the consumer - Withings and Kérastase have reinvented the very image of the relationship a person can have with their hair, and shown how connected devices can revolutionize the beauty industry. "
This high-quality brush is battery-powered and adapts to a wide range of hair types. Simply brushing your hair triggers the data collection process.
This hairbrush is the result of a three-way collaboration between Kérastase, Withings and L'Oréal Recherche et Innovation's Tech Incubator. The incubator - a laboratory whose aim is to meet the needs of beauty product consumers through disruptive technological innovations - supervised all the tests carried out and developed the signal analysis algorithms that ensure the device's operation. Withings developed the hardware, including the various intelligent sensors making up the brush, and led the customer experience studies as part of the development of the mobile application. Kérastase, a brand of the L'Oréal group, with its expertise in professional hair care, actively contributed to the development and design of the brush, as well as the digital and personalized content and recommendations produced by the mobile application.
" Withings has carried out numerous projects aimed at unlocking the full potential of everyday objects such as watches and scales, using sensors to provide users with valuable information about the behaviors they adopt every day, and we're very excited about the prospect of exporting our know-how to the beauty industry.says Cedric Hutchings, Vice President of Nokia's Connected Health division. With each use, this smart brush provides access to a wealth of data that consumers have never had access to before, data that can help them improve their overall hair care experience. "
The brush will go on sale in mid-2017 for under €200, in selected Kérastase hair salons and on the brand's website, as well as via Withings' online sales sites and distribution channels.
