Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12/20/android_toilet/
Japanese firm lifts lid on Android-controlled toilet
iOS fanbois must cross their legs and wait
Posted in Bootnotes, 20th December 2012 05:30 GMT
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Vid Japan has been at the cutting edge [1] of toilet design for decades and has one of the highest rates of smartphone penetration on the planet, so it’s perhaps fitting that it has now combined the two by introducing a hi-tech Android-powered loo which enables hands-free toilet action.
Japanese lav-maker Lixil [2] has unveiled the Satis range, which can be controlled by a My SATIS Android app and a Bluetooth connection to carry out a range of tasks. These include lifting and closing the lid, flushing, shooting a bidet-like spray where the sun don’t shine and even controlling the temperature of the heated seat.
Judging by the video below, it effectively turns the user’s phone into a remote control for their toilet, which will not make things any easier for the bewildered tourist in Japan, who usually ends up having a rather uncomfortable time trying to find the flush button on one of the wretched things.
Aside from facilitating hands-free toilet-going, the app can also offer users the option of playing music through its built-in speakers, and for the more health and cost-conscious there is a toilet diary feature to help monitor one’s movements and keep track of water and electricity bills.
Watch Video [3]
The Satis range will be available in Japan from February 2013. iPhone users will have to wait a little longer to use the toilet as developers are still going through the motions on the iOS app.
Given remarkable previous toilet-related tech efforts, including a Toilet Motorcycle and a lav that can save penalty kicks, it can only be surmised that if Japan put a similar amount of effort into other areas of tech it could be a world-beater once again. ®