Robotics
SCARA Robot Dispenses Custom Nail Polish in Retail Kiosk
Epson Robots invests in cosmetics firm to expand applications for robots and other automation technologies.
As part of a strategy to expand into retail and service industries, Epson Robots has invested in Blank Beauty Inc., a Knoxville, TN, start-up that is developing technology to enable consumers to create nail polish in custom colors. Photo courtesy Blank Beauty Inc.
LOS ALAMITOS, CA—As part of a strategy to expand into retail and service industries, Epson Robots has invested in Blank Beauty Inc., a Knoxville, TN, start-up that is developing technology to enable consumers to create nail polish in custom colors.
Epson and Blank Beauty have developed an innovative in-store kiosk capable of manufacturing and dispensing small quantities of nail polish in custom colors. The compact kiosk lets consumers create a color for nail polish—using, for example, a digital photo—and then have that polish mixed and bottled in real time in just a few minutes. The visually dynamic process delivers a personalized product and also serves as a “retail-tainment” experience. The kiosk is already being piloted in various locations with a national retailer.
The kiosk features several Epson automation technologies, including the T3 All-in-One SCARA robot, RC+ programming software, color control technology, and spectroscopic vision systems. The SCARA—painted pink and named “Huey”—performs various handling tasks within the kiosk.
“This is a powerful example of how Epson technology is entering new frontiers, delivering scalable customization, reducing costs and enhancing customer engagement,” said Rick Brookshire, director of robotics at Epson America Inc. “Our investment in Blank Beauty through Epson X underscores the active role Epson Robots is taking to drive innovation in production, distribution and consumer experiences across industries.”
Beyond the kiosk, the Epson and Blank Beauty collaboration extends to e-commerce, where Epson-powered equipment is integrated with web applications to fully automate the process, from color formulation and mixing to packaging and shipment of online orders.
“We built Blank Beauty as a platform for customized manufacturing, and to do it right, we needed a partner with flexibility, stability and proven technology. …Epson is the ideal technology partner to achieve our vision,” said Charles Brandon, co-founder and CEO of Blank Beauty. “Epson has been essential in helping us take our concept to final deployment in just six months.”
Looking ahead, Epson and Blank Beauty plan to expand their offering beyond nail polish to include other customizable cosmetics, such as nail gels, liquid foundations and lip glosses. By leveraging Epson’s advanced color control technology, the collaboration aims to deliver precise, high-value personalization across a growing range of industries. Future applications may also extend to categories like custom paints, fragrances and skincare products.
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