The grooming of the future is already here – AI-assisted haircuts, 3D hair design and augmented reality in the salon. Will robots replace humans?
Imagine you walk into a salon. You’re greeted not by the receptionist, but by a hologram. Your dog approaches the mirror, and 10 variants of hairstyles are virtually “tried on” on his body. The machine scans hair, breed, temperament – and in 20 seconds gives out the ideal model of grooming. While you’re drinking coffee, the dog is washed by a robot manipulator, and artificial intelligence controls the water temperature and the animal’s stress level
Fantastic? Not anymore. Grooming, like everything else around it, is changing at breakneck speed. And if you’re a groomer or just an animal lover – finding out what’s coming next will not only be interesting, but vital. Because it’s not “somewhere later” – it’s already knocking on the door.
Artificial intelligence in grooming
AI has long ceased to be just a topic for TV series. In medicine it makes diagnoses, in marketing it writes texts, and in the beauty sphere it selects images. But what about grooming?
Today there are already prototypes of systems that can:
Recognize a dog’s breed and coat type from a photo;
Analyze individual features and suggest appropriate haircuts;
Even calculate time, cosmetics consumption and the workload of the master.
Yes, so far these systems are at the level of a “smart assistant”, not a “virtual groomer”. But their accuracy is already impressive. Programs similar to StyleMyPet or FurMatch AI are able to visualize a new image of the animal even before the scissors touch the hair.
And all this without errors, “by eye” or mood.
But…. there’s a “but.” AI is smart. But it’s not touch-savvy. It won’t sense when a dog is tense, it won’t see that his whiskers are a little different today because he’s out of molt. So he’s a great counselor, but – not a substitute.
Will groomers be out of work?
What is already partially automated in grooming doesn’t look like a futuristic miracle – it’s around:
Automatic washing systems with adjustable water pressure;
Dryers with temperature sensors;
Undercoat removal rotors that regulate their own pressure depending on the density of the coat.
In South Korea, they are already testing robotic stations where you can leave your dog, press a couple of buttons and get Tail clean and combed. For small breeds, this is real know-how. But let’s be honest: can you trust a machine with a Yorkshire Terrier that shivers when the blow dryer blows?
Robots don’t have emotions. And grooming is not just a physical process. It’s contact. Trust. Individuality. That’s why robots can be great assistants for the routine part of the job – but won’t replace the groomer’s heart.
3D grooming and coloring
Forget the usual bows and clippers. The world of creative grooming is gearing up for a revolution. And that’s not a metaphor.
Imagine a dog wearing 3D elements created by special printed gels that hold their shape for days without harming the skin. Or paint that changes color depending on body temperature. Such technologies are already being tested in Japan and the US in the pet-fashion industry – and it looks like they’re coming to us too.
What does this mean? Creative grooming is reaching a new level:
Volumetric elements on the coat that create the illusion of figures – from angel wings to floral ornaments;
Paints with effects: fluorescent, holographic, heat-dependent;
Biotechnology: plant-based paints that nourish the coat instead of drying it out.
Yes, it’s not for everyday use, but as an element of shows, weddings, photo shoots – it can completely change the approach to grooming.
And yes – this is exactly what will be trending virally on the internet in the next 2-3 years.
Augmented reality in salons
What if you could see your dog’s haircut before it was done? Not with an example “like that spaniel from Instagram”, but right on your pooch, in the mirror or on your tablet? The idea is already being realized through AR (augmented reality), which is now actively entering beauty salons, barbershops and even clinics.
In grooming, AR can:
Help the owner see different hairstyle options before the procedure;
Visualize the haircutting process step by step – for beginners or apprentices;
Give the groomer real-time shape and symmetry cues like a navigator.
And if you add an AI voiceover that reminds, “Attention, scapula area. Don’t forget to adjust the line according to your coat type” – then we are on the verge of a new era in training and customer service.
Such technologies are already in development at VetTech companies in the US and China. So it is only a matter of time before they become available for salons in Kiev.
How will the profession of groomer change in the next 10 years?
It will not be an exaggeration to say: the groomer of the future is a techno-artist.
He will need to be able to hold scissors, but also:
work with AR glasses,
control AI assistants,
set up robotic systems,
consult with clients based on data from analyzer programs.
But at the same time – to keep the soul of the profession: the ability to feel the mood of the dog, to understand its fears, to find an approach, to soothe, and, most importantly, to create beauty that no algorithm can model.
So instead of “work without a future” – we have “a future with new depth”.
Instead of fear – a chance for growth. Because the more routine tasks will be automated – the more space will be left for creativity, style and authorial approach.
Should groomers worry about their jobs?
That’s probably the main question that’s swirling around in my head after all the reading. Robots, AI, augmented reality, 3D are cool, but… where is the place for humans here? Where’s the groomer?
The truth is, no machine can replace empathy, intuition, and art. Dogs don’t like noise. They defy logic. They’re emotional. And only a living human can sense the moment when a Pet is tired, when it’s better to just hug him, rather than carry on. No algorithm can read that.
Yes, the profession is changing. But hopefully this is still not a threat, but an evolution of the profession. Those who adapt in time will rise to the top. They’ll become leaders.
At V.O.G DOG SALON we understand this very well. That’s why we are always on the pulse of all the world’s changes in the grooming industry. We choose the best tools, we analyze the future, we learn together with the market and keep up with technology. And if tomorrow there will be an opportunity to connect AR-sampling of haircuts in the salon – you can be sure that we will be among the first to test it.
It is the same with our grooming school V.O.G DOG ACADEMY – we form the masters of the future. Our students are not afraid of possible changes, because they are not going to give their work to AI and understand: it is not a competitor, it is a tool that we will successfully use. And the best tool is in the hands of a true artist.
Conclusion
Do robots cut dogs’ hair? AI picks up the hairstyles? It sounds like a movie, but it’s already becoming part of reality. And groomers who now work with love, with heart and interest in everything new will be the ones who set the tone for the industry.
Because grooming is about trust, touch, understanding, creation. And even the most precise algorithm will not create a pattern of hair the way a groomer who has put a part of himself into his work will do.
