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 explanation for the delay, says Goswell, was resulting from Lush’s lack of expertise with electronics. The product was prepared, however they hadn’t realised how lengthy it could take to get the related certifications wanted to promote such a tool. The Bathtub Bot is now out there within the UK, EU, and can quickly be within the US (excepting California, which has further laws).
Some compromises nonetheless needed to be made in the course of the growth. “The elements in there aren’t what we’d deem as 100% moral, however we tried our greatest,” says Goswell. The workforce had needed to make use of recycled supplies out of environmental issues however needed to go for virgin plastic to maintain the gadget waterproof. The top end result is recyclable although, and Lush says patrons will be capable to carry theirs in-store for repairs if wanted.
Manufacturing electronics inevitably comes with a carbon value, 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 feel 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 may get a water-proof Bluetooth speaker from established manufacturers for considerably much less, seemingly with higher sound high quality: Final Ears’ floating Wonderboom 4 retails for round $100 (and infrequently sells for much less), whereas JBL‘s most cost-effective waterproof audio system can promote for as little as $40—you’ll find some even cheaper on Amazon.
The explanations for the excessive worth, Goswell says, embody 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. Making an attempt to decide on extra moral elements provides to the worth, as does manufacturing within the UK. In the end, 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 lodge rooms for ambient lighting.
I determine to check the Bathtub Bot in its meant surroundings, operating a shower and establishing 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. 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 mild guitar notes.
