Close Shave of the Third Kind
technology — and the franchise model. Aided by a government subsidy to entrepreneurs under the Kita Kayakan Kita stimulus package, robotics barber shops sprouted nationwide like burger stalls. Initially scepticism abounded, with many snide — and frankly, unimaginative — remarks appearing on social media like “You may end up with just one ear”. Taking a leaf out of Singapore’s experience in introducing NEWater, Malaysia’s Prime Minister and other top government officials appeared on TV getting a robotics haircut. This was followed by celebrity endorsements. Things snowballed from there. Or hairballed, if you like. The set-up is simple. Customers sit within a cylindrical glass tube where robotic arms snip swiftly and efficiently like Edward Scissorhands. You can choose from up to 30 hairstyles (and growing). Sensors on the blades ensure that only hair will be cut. You can even adjust it to cut only white hair if you wish. If you still worry that you might get hurt accidentally, you can purchase a haircut insurance policy from Pos Malaysia. Unidirectional airflow from overhead pushes the cut hair and air particles down into an air vent at the base of the barber chair. Even hair on the haircutting cape slides down as easy as a baby’s drool. For your entertainment, there’s a screen monitor that reflects like a mirror when switched off and can play TV shows, movies and the radio when switched on. I hear one cinema operator plans
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