Nigerian-American Engineer Debuts World's First Braid-Assist Robot HaloBraid

Yinka Ogunbiyi, a Nigerian-American Harvard graduate, has developed HaloBraid, touted as the world’s first braid-assist robot designed to ease the physical strain on hairstylists while cutting braiding time. The device is intended to work alongside stylists, handling the repetitive mid-length weaving while professionals complete the final styling and finishing steps. HaloBraid has attracted about $7 million in seed funding and garnered interest from more than 7,000 salons on a waitlist ahead of a commercial rollout, signaling strong demand for technology in the haircare sector. The funding round was led by Seven Seven Six with participation from AlleyCorp and Bling Capital, underscoring investor confidence in the cobot’s potential to augment rather than replace human stylists. Ogunbiyi’s background includes a joint MS/MBA from Harvard, and the project emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic after she braided her own hair, highlighting a practical pivot from IoT and home appliances to beauty tech. The story has been amplified by several organizations—ranging from the US Mission in Nigeria to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission—emphasizing HaloBraid’s global potential and its role in showcasing American innovation with international impact.