AENO Unveils HD5 AI ProDryer With Sensors That Control Heat and Airflow Automatically

Consumer electronics maker AENO has released the HD5 AI ProDryer, a hair dryer that uses artificial intelligence to manage temperature, airflow and drying mode without input from the user. The company positions the device as a way to get salon-level results at home while reducing the risk of heat damage.

As reported by London Daily News, the HD5 combines nine patented technologies that operate as a single system. Rather than using fixed presets that were selected prior to starting the styling process, the dryer constantly keeps an eye on the state of the hair and adjusts its performance in real time. This method is in keeping with a broader trend of introducing sensors and automation into home appliances which have usually relied completely on manual control.

The key feature of the system is distance-sensitive temperature control. A sensor detects the distance between the nozzle and the hair and then adjusts the heat accordingly. It is important because the effect produced by the same airflow setting varies greatly according to how far away it is held: if the nozzle is held close, the air can become damaging to the hair, whereas if it is held farther away the air may not dry it at all. By making these adjustments automatically, the dryer works to maintain a consistent temperature at the hair strands during the whole session. An additional thermal sensor serves as a safety measure by continuously monitoring the temperature of the airflow and reducing the heat whenever it reaches a level that is regarded as hazardous to hair health. Thus, the responsibility for managing the heat is transferred from the user to the appliance, something that is especially beneficial for people who are unsure about deciding on the correct settings themselves.

Other features are designed to promote convenience and efficiency. The dryer has an automatic start-stop function which stops the airflow as soon as it is placed on a surface and reactivates it when it is picked up. AENO states that this feature saves energy, contributes to prolonging the life of the device, and also means that users no longer have to switch the dryer off every time they take a break to section their hair or reach for a brush. With voice control it is possible to switch between AI, Soft, Hot and Cold modes using spoken commands, which is a useful option in situations when both hands are busy. The dryer includes ionic technology to reduce static and frizz and give a smoother, glossier result, while InfraCare technology makes use of 490 nm light which the company claims improves hair texture and natural shine with regular use.

The design is based on the same principle of reducing effort since the nozzles attach magnetically and can rotate through a full 360 degrees, meaning that it takes only a few seconds to change styles and no tools are needed. All the settings are shown on a touchscreen together with real-time feedback about how the dryer is working. Weighing about 600 grams, the HD5 is clearly lighter than a great many professional models, the weight of which can fatigue the hand and arm after extended styling sessions. The device is offered in black and in other colours via AENO’s retail partners in a number of countries.

A spokesperson from AENO stated that good styling had in the past relied on either an individual’s own skills or visiting a salon, and that the HD5 is intended to take on those responsibilities by adjusting to the user. The product has already drawn interest from retailers and reviewers in Europe, mainly since it combines AI-powered automation with a price that is lower than that of well-known salon brands. The company sees the launch as part of a broader expansion of its range of personal care and smart home products, which already encompasses robot vacuums and kitchen appliances. AENO creates everyday consumer technology in the areas of personal care, home cleaning and the kitchen, focusing on incorporating smart sensors and automation into products which were previously entirely manual and making this technology more affordable. Its devices are available through retail and e-commerce partners in markets all over the world.