Introduced over a yr 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 explanation for the delay, says Goswell, was on account of Lush’s lack of expertise with electronics. The product was prepared, however they hadn’t realised how lengthy it might take to get the related certifications wanted to promote such a tool. The Bathtub Bot is now obtainable within the UK, EU, and can quickly be within the US (excepting California, which has further rules).
Some compromises nonetheless needed to be made in the course of the improvement. “The parts in there aren’t what we might deem as one hundred pc moral, however we tried our greatest,” says Goswell. The crew had wished to make use of recycled supplies out of environmental considerations however needed to go for virgin plastic to maintain the gadget waterproof. The tip end result is recyclable although, and Lush says patrons will be capable to convey 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 gadget or an inexpensive, throw-away one which broke inside six months, I believe that might be a distinct query, however we’ve made it to final,” he says.
Certainly, an inexpensive gadget it’s not. 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 will get a water-proof Bluetooth speaker from established manufacturers for considerably much less, possible with higher sound high quality: Final Ears’ floating Wonderboom 4 retails for round $100 (and sometimes sells for much less), whereas JBL’s least expensive waterproof audio system can promote for as little as $40—you could find some even cheaper on Amazon.
The explanations for the excessive value, Goswell says, embody the truth that it’s Lush’s first tech product and the corporate just isn’t making that many, each of which drive up prices. Attempting to decide on extra moral parts provides to the value, as does manufacturing within the UK. In the end, he says, Lush doesn’t need to pitch the Bathtub Bot in opposition to different Bluetooth audio system however sees it as extra of a life-style accent, akin to one thing like a Philips Hue lamp. Whereas it’s designed to be used within the tub, he additionally likes to take it with him to resort rooms for ambient lighting.
I determine to check the Bathtub Bot in its supposed atmosphere, operating a shower and organising the Lush app prepared to attach. Bathtub drawn, I drop the bathtub 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. Obtainable in black or white, the Bathtub Bot has simply 4 buttons—on/off, play/pause, and two quantity controls. Once I flip it on, it emits a very pleasing startup sound that includes birdsong and some mild guitar notes.
