TECHNOLOGY IN THE TOILET
Technology has an impact on every area of our lives – and the washroom is no exception. Amelia Baker from Tork shares some insights into the effects of technology in the toilet.
Almost all of our day-to-day activities in the modern world are influenced by technology.
As we start our morning commute, perhaps we will open the car door using a smart key fob before activating Bluetooth so that we can listen to music and respond to calls as we drive. Or we might take the train and spend the journey checking emails, reading a Kindle or playing games on our phone.
When we reach work we will probably enter the building via an automatic door entry system before starting up our computer. During the lunch break we may spend time catching up on social media or doing some online shopping. And when we get home, even our leisure activities such as watching films and ordering a takeaway will probably be carried out online.
In fact technology has become so pervasive that it has even reached the
42 | TECHNOLOGY
toilet. One might suppose it would have little use in the smallest room. However, technology is helping to enhance the image of away-from-home washrooms while also improving health, hygiene, accessibility and efficiency. So, how is this achieved?
The most headline-grabbing of toilet technologies can usually be found in Japan, where state-of-the-art loos that are operated via remote control have long been a feature in upmarket hotels and offices.
Japanese manufacturer Toto has even developed a lavatory that automatically opens the lid when the user approaches and closes it when they leave. The Neorest 750H also warms the seat before use and sanitises itself afterwards by means of ultraviolet light. These types of high-tech toilets quickly become talking points and serve to impress customers and enhance the image of a facility.
In China a similar trend towards using washroom technology to impress appears to be emerging. For example, the washrooms of Fifth Space - an upmarket Beijing facility — offers vending machines, ATMs, wifi and electric scooter charging stations.
Meanwhile, fixtures such as sensor- operated taps, automatic flush systems and touch-free soap dispensers are helping to improve health and hygiene in washrooms everywhere. These minimise the need for visitors to touch any washroom surfaces, reducing the risk of cross- contamination that could potentially cause illnesses.
And again, the Japanese are taking the health platform a step further by incorporating medical sensors in some of their loos. These can measure sugar levels and take the visitor’s pulse as well as blood pressure and body fat content readings.
twitter.com/TomoCleaning
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