I Got a Massage From a Robot at a New Local Wellness Spa in Downtown Denver

Super cool technology alert! In my town of Denver, Colorado, there's an ultra-exciting new wellness spa featuring a unique concept, Robot Massages. Aescape is an AI-powered robotic massage system experience available for booking at Sway Wellness Club in downtown Denver. It's a "first-of-its-kind urban wellness concept" that combines traditional spa treatments with today's cutting-edge technology. These massages cost less than human massages too, which is nice on the wallet! And you don't have to tip, because well, it's a robot...

Aescape utilizes robotic arms and data sensors to create a personalized massage experience, enabling you to control pressure, target specific areas, and select music. And it's always "learning," which means the next time you go back and do a massage with the robot, it will remember you and know what you like and don't like based on the feedback you gave it and the selections you make. 

Preparing For the Robot Massage Experience

I signed up for my Aescape appointment online, using the Aescape website. You can choose a treatment based on how long you want the massage to be and where you want to focus on (upper back, hamstrings, glutes, and more). One thing to note is that this type of massage only focuses on the backside of your body. There’s no quadriceps or bicep work because you’ll be on your stomach facing the table, the entire time. 

Before I arrived at Sway, I received a message from them asking what size bodysuit I wanted to wear for the treatment. Based on my experience, I’d recommend you go as tight as possible. You don’t want the shirt part of the suit to ride up during the massage because it’s distracting. 

Before getting started, I was able to adjust the bolster, headrest and armrest so I fit well into the table. Once I was suited up and on the table, I went through a body scan lying face down in the massage setup so the robot could familiarize itself with my size and body shape. Then, it was time to get down to business! 

During the treatment, I had access to an interactive touchscreen right under my face, allowing me to adjust the pressure to be firmer or lighter. The screen showed me the progress of my massage, so I knew what to expect in terms of how long the robot arms were going to work on a particular part of my body, and what part of my body (shoulders, upper back, lower back, glutes) was coming up next. There was also an emergency call button down there, just in case I panicked (but the technician setting me up told me they’ve never had an issue). 

The robot let me personalize every aspect of my massage, from how much pressure I wanted to my preferences on the immersive visual displays in front of me. I got to choose the music, and select a visual element to look at, with screens ranging from rain to snow to the rainforest trees blowing in the wind. It was fun to have this much control over the experience without having to worry about messing with the massage therapist’s style. 

At one point, I sat up too far on the table to pull my shirt back down, and the massage halted, because the robot could tell that my body wasn’t where it was supposed to be, and it shut itself down. Once I was back in the proper position, it recalibrated itself for a minute and then kept going where it left off. It was reassuring to see these safety precautions in motion, in real time. 

The Verdict: Robots Versus Humans Massage Treatments  

The robot massage was a novel experience. I’d definitely do it again, if I wanted something quicker and more clinical than a regular massage. My treatment cost $60 (but Aescape treatments start as low as $30 for quick 15-minute massages) and it was more affordable than a traditional massage (which at the same location would go for $120-plus, with a human). And I didn’t need to add a tip on top of the service. 

I thought it was pretty neat to be able to communicate with the machine through the touch screen. The lack of human connection with the robot was an interesting experience, but it made me realize that ultimately, I personally prefer a human for a massage like this. However, I recognise there are plenty of folks who would prefer a robot over a human person touching them. 

Right now, Sway Wellness Spa in Denver is one of just a handful of spots in the U.S. that offers an Aescape experience. But Aescape as a company is expanding. You can find a location near you that offers this experience on their website. 

I don’t think this option is going to replace traditional massage therapists or massage experiences because there’s something special to me about having the connection with a person you can communicate with throughout the process. It’s nice to get to know a particular regular massage therapist and form a relationship with them if you can. But this was an interesting alternative, and I’d recommend giving it a try, if there’s an Aescape anywhere near you! 

It did a solid job of working out the tension in my body. And I enjoyed the little details that came with the experience, such as choosing my own mood music and visuals throughout the treatment. Aescape is definitely going to be something I believe we’ll be seeing more frequently at spas across the U.S., and I’m glad I got to give it a try.