At Milano Design Week 2025, Bridgestone Softrobotics Ventures presents a vision of the future where technology and tranquility coexist. ZENBOT SALON Morph Inn embodies this concept, seamlessly blending the serenity of Japanese Zen philosophy with the innovative power of soft robotics to offer a truly transformative wellness experience.
Bridgestone, a name synonymous with tires, is quietly revolutionizing the robotics world with its “Artificial Rubber Muscle,” a flexible soft actuator born from over four decades of research. This innovation, spearheaded by their in-house startup Bridgestone Softrobotics Ventures, is moving beyond industrial applications and into the realm of human well-being.
Enter Morph Inn, a Zen robotic salon that’s already captivated visitors in Tokyo. Now, it’s Milan’s turn. At its heart lies “Morph,” a soft robot designed to gently envelop and soothe, offering a refuge from the relentless pace of modern life. Imagine a calming embrace that mimics the natural rhythms of breathing or the gentle sway of waves, allowing you to reconnect with yourself in a profound way.
But this isn’t just about a soothing touch. Bridgestone is taking wellness to a whole new level by merging the principles of Zen meditation with their advanced robotics. Collaborating with Zen master Toryo Ito, Deputy Chief Priest of Ryosoku-in, Kennin-ji, they’ve refined the Morph Inn experience into the ZENBOT SALON.
“Blending Zen meditation and soft robotics has diversified the Zen philosophy by technology to give all people a moment of mindfulness at any time as the new lifestyle,” explains Bridgestone. “Morph leads modern people who tend to concentrate on ‘inner’ selves to focus on the ‘outer’ world by its nature-oriented organic movements without the need of special training or lectures.”
The design of Morph itself is a testament to minimalist beauty, inspired by nature. Its artificial rubber muscles, powered by air, gently adapt to the body, creating a dynamic and enveloping sensation of comfort. The experience goes beyond simple physical contact. Morph can translate video content into haptic sensations through point cloud sensing technology, evoking memories and emotions through touch.
Imagine feeling the gentle sway of a forest breeze or the comforting warmth of a family embrace, all translated into a physical experience by Morph. The robot’s intelligent design also features an intuitive control system that detects the user’s presence and adapts to their body shape, eliminating the need for buttons or screens.
Morph’s modular design, consisting of three enclosures, allows for versatile use, whether individually, in pairs, or together. Its soft-textured artificial vegan leather covering and plush materials further enhance the sense of comfort and familiarity.
ZENBOT SALON Morph Inn isn’t just an exhibit; it’s a glimpse into the future of wellness. Bridgestone Softrobotics Ventures is demonstrating a new paradigm of robotics, where technology becomes a versatile partner, capable of enhancing our lives in profound ways. This is more than just a robotic embrace; it’s a bridge between technology and humanity, a moment of Zen in a fast-paced world. At Milano Design Week 2025, prepare to experience a new kind of tranquility, a new definition of well-being, and a new way to connect with yourself.