The WAO-1 robot developed in Japan was initially deployed to provide facial massages to patients with jaw-related medical problems as part of their treatment. It was intentionally done to deliver more refined massages than those offered by electric massage chairs because the facial bone structure is much more fragile than the back or spine bones.

It will only become available in hospitals or to the public once its use is approved by a government safety panel. The robot can reportedly be adjusted to give beauty and relaxation massages. This is not actually a long shot since robots that give shampoos in hair salons are widely deployed in Japan.