Introduced over a yr in the past, the Bot has taken longer than anticipated to get to market, with some clients complaining about unfulfilled pre-orders or questioning if the product is vaporware. The rationale 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 Tub Bot is now accessible 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 elements in there aren’t what we might deem as one hundred pc moral, however we tried our greatest,” says Goswell. The crew 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 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 Tub 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 will be a distinct query, however we’ve made it to final,” he says.
Certainly, an inexpensive gadget 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-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—yow will discover 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 is just not 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 Tub 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 bathtub, he additionally likes to take it with him to lodge rooms for ambient lighting.
I resolve to check the Tub Bot in its supposed surroundings, operating a shower and establishing the Lush app prepared to attach. Tub drawn, I drop the tub bot into the water the place it duly floats round, biking by way of colored lights that give the phantasm of dyeing the bathwater round me. Out there in black or white, the Tub 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.