Hair braiding, a craft built on precision, patience and dexterity, is becoming an unexpected frontier for robotics innovation. Engineer and entrepreneur Yinka Ogunbiyi is exploring that opportunity with HaloBraid, a device designed to automate part of the braiding process while keeping professional hairstylists in control.
Depending on the style, completing a full head of braids can require several hours of repetitive hand movements, limiting the number of customers a stylist can accommodate. By mechanising part of this process, HaloBraid aims to help salons improve productivity without removing the human expertise that defines the craft.
In July 2026, the startup secured $7 million in seed funding in a round led by Seven Seven Six, the venture capital firm founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. HaloBraid has also reported more than 7,000 salons on its waiting list, signalling interest in technology that could change how professional braiding services are delivered.
The idea grew out of Ogunbiyi’s own experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she spent four days braiding her hair. The process prompted her to consider how engineering could reduce the time and effort involved in a task familiar to millions. She subsequently partnered with co-founder David Afolabi to develop the concept into a commercial product.
HaloBraid works alongside the stylist rather than replacing them. The professional sections the hair and starts each braid by hand before feeding it into the device, which handles the repetitive weaving stage. The stylist then completes the braid, retaining control over the hairstyle and its finish.
According to the company, the device can complete individual braids up to five times faster than manual braiding. HaloBraid estimates that this could cut total salon appointment times by half, although actual savings will depend on the hairstyle, the number of braids required and how the device fits into the stylist’s workflow. Reduced repetitive movements could also ease some of the physical demands of lengthy sessions.
The company plans to introduce the technology through a phased rollout involving selected stylists and salons. Its performance in professional settings will be important in determining whether the projected time savings translate into practical benefits. Affordability, reliability and the ability to accommodate different hair types and braiding techniques will also influence its adoption.
HaloBraid reflects how engineering can find new applications in industries traditionally defined by manual skill. Rather than attempting to automate the entire creative process, the technology focuses on a repetitive task, leaving hairstylists to apply the judgement and expertise that shape the final result.
For Ogunbiyi and Afolabi, the next challenge is to turn early investor confidence and market interest into a product that delivers consistent value to salon businesses. The venture offers a compelling example of how a familiar everyday problem can inspire an innovation with the potential to reshape a professional service.
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