Amid the pressures of modern living, vending massage chairs have proven a cheap and easy way for young people to unwind. But is this trend built to last—or will it be over as quickly as the massages themselves?
A stroll through one of China’s many malls these days often comes with a familiar refrain: “Master, you must be tired from shopping. Come sit down and get a massage!” The invitation is enticing—though often it’s not a person calling out, but a sleek, high-tech massage chair doing the beckoning.
Over the past decade, vending massage chairs have steadily made their way into public spaces across China. With a quick scan of a QR code, users can recline and let the chair’s soft pleather surface envelop them, as motorized nodes work their way across the neck, shoulders, back, and legs.
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Smooth Operator: The Vending Massage Chairs Invading China’s Public Spaces is a story from our issue, “Smart Nation.” To read the entire issue, become a subscriber and receive the full magazine.
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