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The tattoo world just took a futuristic leap, thanks to New York’s acclaimed ink visionary Bang Bang. Celebrity artist Keith “Bang Bang” McCurdy, famous for tattooing icons like Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, and Justin Bieber, is once again pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the art form. This time, the revolution arrives in the shape of a robot: the A.E.R.O. (Artist Enabled Robotic Operator).
A.E.R.O. isn’t just a machine—it’s Bang Bang’s answer to the search for perfection in tattooing. Designed in partnership with Blackdot, an Austin-based tech company, this innovative device promises a level of detail and accuracy beyond even the steadiest human hand. Bang Bang likens its mechanics to that of an embroidery machine; while an artist draws and programs the design, A.E.R.O. meticulously maps the contours of each client’s skin, measuring down to the micron before the first drop of ink is placed.
Bang Bang explained, “It’s measuring the landscape of skin to the micron … It is the most precise tattoo machine I’ve ever seen.” This advanced mapping and calibration allow the robot to deliver crisp, consistent linework and achieve effects traditionally out of reach for even expert artists.
Those eager for a visual taste can check out Bang Bang’s recent Instagram teaser about the robot, where tattoos crafted by A.E.R.O. have drawn both awe and debate within the tattoo community.
Currently, Bang Bang’s famed New York studio is the only place you’ll find the A.E.R.O. in action. Clients can book appointments for a tattoo executed by the robot via a dedicated page, selecting from a range of custom art specifically designed for robotic application. Each proposed design is crafted by Bang Bang or his team—the same artists whose reputations pull in celebrity clientele from around the globe.
One unique advantage is access: if a sought-after artist like Mr. K is traveling, clients can still get a tattoo based on his artwork, executed with near-perfect precision by the robot. Bang Bang notes that A.E.R.O. also secures the client safely in place, ensuring even skin tension and minimizing error during the tattoo process.
Despite the robot’s precision, Bang Bang is clear: “This has nothing on me. It just adds to what we can do.” He emphasizes that A.E.R.O. isn’t here to replace artists but to expand their creative horizons. “It does things humans cannot do, and as a tattoo artist, that’s really exciting. It makes me wonder what I can’t tattoo with my hands? What ability does this give me?”
There’s a practical upside for seasoned artists as well. With A.E.R.O., their artwork can remain accessible even as their hands age or if they develop conditions that make traditional tattooing difficult. This technology allows masters to keep their signature styles alive through the robot’s hands, so to speak.
Bang Bang and his team first tested A.E.R.O. on themselves, starting with simple text tattoos and meticulously scrutinizing the results under a microscope. Pleased with the outcome, they expanded to intricate linework and, now, full-fledged client appointments. You can book your spot for a robotic tattoo—and see for yourself why the global tattoo community is buzzing—on the Bang Bang studio’s official page.
This leap forward is only the beginning. While today only one A.E.R.O. operates out of Bang Bang’s New York studio, Blackdot is working on more prototypes, with long-term plans to bring the technology to studios worldwide. Clients and artists alike are watching closely as this blend of technology and artistry transforms what’s possible in tattoos.
For more on Bang Bang’s innovations and to view some of A.E.R.O.’s earliest work, visit the official Bang Bang Tattoo homepage. Keep up with their latest developments and client showcases on Instagram, where discussions about the future of robotic tattooing are already underway.
As the art of tattooing evolves, Bang Bang’s A.E.R.O. stands as a bold signpost for what’s next—a fusion of artistry and robotics redefining what bodies and machines can create together.