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artificial intelligence Have written novels, driven cars, and painted pictures – so maybe it was only a matter of time before I started doing nails.
This is the idea behind Umiya, which is said to be the world’s first “”.aye manicure Machine”.
At first glance, it looks more like a dystopian espresso maker than a beauty device: a matte white box small enough to sit on a desk, with a neat slot for a finger.
I’m told the process takes exactly 100 seconds per nail, whether you choose a plain color or an intricate design.
Still, I was skeptical of the “AI manicure” claim. Was it really artificial intelligence, or an advanced printer with a clever marketing twist?
Process
When I arrived, I was greeted by Umiya’s representative, Audrey Dong, who explained that this tool only provides the painting element of a manicure – not the filing, shaping or cuticle care that nail technicians do.
“It’s a gel manicure, so it will last about 10 to 14 days,” Dong said.
“You put your finger in and the machine’s camera scans your nail to understand its shape, curvature and location – we call this your ‘nail DNA’.
“Then it applies three coats — base, color and top — and that’s when it cures. When your hand comes out, it’s shiny and dry.”
Sure enough, as the machine whirred, I put my finger in the box and a little camera flashed.
A thin mist of polish was sprayed onto my nail in layers so fine that I couldn’t feel anything. The only sensation came from the soft warmth of the UV light that cured the gel, which wasn’t uncomfortable – in fact, it didn’t feel like it was doing anything.
True to his word, each nail took 100 seconds. This included scanning, painting and curing. By the time I finished all ten, I had a full gel manicure in less than 20 minutes.
outcome
The finish was shiny and surprisingly flexible – though not flawless.
Some of the more intricate designs were a little blurry around the edges, and on some nails, the polish chipped off a bit, leaving a fine haze on my skin.
But overall, it was neat, sturdy and definitely better than I expected from a machine with no hands or eyes.
That said, this isn’t going to replace your local nail bar. Umiya doesn’t handle any prep steps and requires you to come with clean, groomed nails.
“We are not replacing technicians,” Dong said. “We’re offering something faster and more accessible.”
Dong Umiya sees the future of the machines not in nail salons but in everyday spaces: “Hair salons, coffee shops, spas, even airports,” she said, “because it only takes 20 minutes for an entire hand, you can use it while getting your coffee or waiting for your flight.
“It will also cost much less than a regular manicure – maybe less than half the price.”
The technology behind polish
But the question still remains whether it was actually ‘AI’ or just a high-tech printer.
To that end, I spoke to Umia’s co-founder, Modi Liu, who quickly clarified that the machine doesn’t use the kind of large language models that power systems do. chatgpt Or Gemini.
“There is no language processing or text-based AI,” Liu explains, “what we use is a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based deep learning model, built on over 120,000 nail data points.”
This AI model allows Umiya to recognize the width, length, curvature and shape of each nail, and distinguish between the nail, cuticle and skin, Liu said.
“Each nail is unique,” she adds, “AI ensures that the design fits your shape perfectly.” This is what makes it intelligent rather than merely mechanical.
The system also features what Umiya calls “adaptive optimization algorithms,” meaning it learns from each manicure.
After each session, it collects feedback data – things like delivery accuracy and design alignment – and uses that information to improve future results. In theory, each coat he paints brings him one step closer to perfection.
Looking ahead, Liu said that Umiya’s upcoming app will introduce reinforcement learning – a branch of AI that allows systems to learn from a user’s behavior and preferences.
“Over time,” she says, “it will recommend designs based on your preferences — color, pattern, style. Each interaction helps it learn more about your tastes.”
Appropriately, Umia is making its UK debut during British Beauty Week (October 18-26), where it’s running a city-wide AI nail art scavenger hunt with clues shared on social media and hidden locations via its new app.
It’s an interesting sign of the growing overlap between technology and beauty – and a reminder that AI is not only reshaping the way we work, but also how we take care of ourselves.
Decision
It’s a fascinating piece of technology and certainly fun to see in action. There’s something strangely mesmerizing about watching a machine spray your nails with precision, almost silently.
Although the results aren’t perfect, they’re still suitable for a quick, low-effort manicure.
But for now, it remains more of a novelty than a replacement. A salon visit still provides the care, precision and artistry that machines have not yet mastered – not to mention the human connection.
Where Umiya succeeds is in its potency: a portable, chemical-safe, quick-drying manicure that can fit well into the rhythm of modern life – something to do when you’re spending time at the airport, hair salon or café.
And while I’m still not entirely convinced that spraying gel on nails counts as “artificial intelligence,” there’s no denying that it’s an interesting glimpse into the future of beauty tech.