By TheDailyNewsHub Reporter
Nigerian-American engineer and entrepreneur Yinka Ogunbiyi has unveiled the first public demonstration of HaloBraid, a robotic hair-braiding assistance device designed to reduce the time and physical effort involved in professional hairstyling.
The demonstration, shared on October 28, 2026, offers a first look at the technology performing the repetitive weaving stage of hair braiding.
Developed by Ogunbiyi and co-founder David Afolabi, HaloBraid is designed to help professional hairstylists complete individual braids up to five times faster, according to the company.
Unlike a fully autonomous hair-braiding machine, the device works alongside human stylists. The hairstylist sections the hair, applies the necessary products and starts each braid manually before feeding it into the machine. HaloBraid then handles the repetitive weaving process, while the stylist completes and secures the ends.
The company says this approach allows professionals to retain creative control while reducing the physical demands associated with lengthy braiding sessions.
Ogunbiyi conceived the idea during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 after spending four days braiding her own hair. Recognising the time and effort involved, she began exploring how engineering could make the process more efficient. The Nigerian-American engineer has previously earned international recognition for her innovation, as reported in TheDailyNewsHub’s article, Nigerian-American Yinka Ogunbiyi Earns Global Recognition for Braid-Assist Robot. Her development journey involved more than 600 prototypes, while the company has also filed 12 patents, according to its reported development history.
The development involved more than 600 prototypes, while the company has also filed 12 patents, according to its reported development history.
HaloBraid attracted significant investment in June 2026, when its parent company, Halo, announced a $7 million seed funding round led by Seven Seven Six, the venture capital firm founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. AlleyCorp and Bling Capital also participated.
The startup has reported more than 7,000 salons on its waiting list and is preparing a phased introduction involving selected professional stylists.
Beyond improving salon productivity, the technology is intended to address the physical strain experienced by professional braiders, who often spend several hours performing repetitive hand movements. Such work can contribute to conditions including carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries.
The innovation has generated discussion about the relationship between technology and traditional beauty practices. While supporters see an opportunity to reduce working hours and improve salon services, others have raised questions about preserving the artistry and human touch associated with hair braiding.
HaloBraid’s approach seeks to combine both by automating a repetitive task without removing the hairstylist from the creative process.