Introduced over a 12 months in the past, the Bot has taken longer than anticipated to get to market, with some prospects complaining about unfulfilled pre-orders or questioning if the product is vaporware. The rationale for the delay, says Goswell, was as a result of Lush’s lack of expertise with electronics. The product was prepared, however they hadn’t realised how lengthy it will take to get the related certifications wanted to promote such a tool. The Bathtub Bot is now accessible within the UK, EU, and can quickly be within the US (excepting California, which has additional rules).
Some compromises nonetheless needed to be made throughout the improvement. “The elements in there aren’t what we’d deem as 100% moral, however we tried our greatest,” says Goswell. The crew had wished to make use of recycled supplies out of environmental issues however needed to go for virgin plastic to maintain the system waterproof. The top consequence is recyclable although, and Lush says consumers will be capable to deliver theirs in-store for repairs if wanted.
Manufacturing electronics inevitably comes with a carbon price, however Goswell believes the Bathtub Bot’s is justifiable. “If it was a single-use system or an inexpensive, throw-away one which broke inside six months, I believe that may be a special query, however we’ve made it to final,” he says.
Certainly, an inexpensive system it isn’t. The £150 price ticket has raised eyebrows even amongst ardent Lush followers on boards such because the 115k-member r/LushCosmetics subreddit. As one “Lushie” put it, “Why would I purchase a $200 speaker from a shower retailer?” You may get a water-resistant Bluetooth speaker from established manufacturers for considerably much less, doubtless with higher sound high quality: Final Ears’ floating Wonderboom 4 retails for round $100 (and sometimes sells for much less), whereas JBL‘s most cost-effective waterproof audio system can promote for as little as $40—yow will discover some even cheaper on Amazon.
The explanations for the excessive worth, Goswell says, embrace the truth that it’s Lush’s first tech product and the corporate shouldn’t be making that many, each of which drive up prices. Attempting to decide on extra moral elements provides to the value, as does manufacturing within the UK. Finally, he says, Lush doesn’t wish to pitch the Bathtub Bot towards different Bluetooth audio system however sees it as extra of a way of life accent, akin to one thing like a Philips Hue lamp. Whereas it’s designed to be used within the bathtub, he additionally likes to take it with him to resort rooms for ambient lighting.
I resolve to check the Bathtub Bot in its meant setting, working a shower and organising the Lush app prepared to attach. Bathtub drawn, I drop the tub bot into the water the place it duly floats round, biking by means of colored lights that give the phantasm of dyeing the bathwater round me. Out there in black or white, the Bathtub Bot has simply 4 buttons—on/off, play/pause, and two quantity controls. After I flip it on, it emits a very pleasing startup sound that includes birdsong and some light guitar notes.
