Nigerian-American Engineer Develops World’s First Braid-Assist Robot, Raises $7 Million

• Nigerian-American engineer and Harvard graduate, Yinka Ogunbiyi, has developed HaloBraid, the world’s first braid-assist robot.

A Nigerian-American engineer and Harvard graduate, Yinka Ogunbiyi, has developed HaloBraid, described as the world’s first braid-assist robot created to reduce the physical strain experienced by hairstylists while improving efficiency in hair salons.

The innovation was highlighted by the United States Mission in Nigeria in a post shared on its official X account on Friday.

According to the mission, HaloBraid has already raised $7 million in funding and attracted more than 7,000 salons to its waitlist, reflecting strong interest in the technology.

The braid-assist robot is designed to help hairstylists perform braiding more efficiently, reducing fatigue and saving time during the hairstyling process.

Sharing the achievement, the U.S. Mission wrote:

“Nigerian-American engineer & Harvard grad Yinka Ogunbiyi built HaloBraid, the world’s first braid-assist robot, easing strain on stylists & saving salons time. $7M raised, 7,000+ salons waitlisted. American innovation, global impact. #AmericanExcellence in action.”

HaloBraid is expected to support professional hairstylists by making braiding less physically demanding while enabling salons to serve more clients within a shorter period.

Details later…