Latest Trends in Bathroom Technology

I love ideas that challenge the way we think. Like a bathtub that folds away 🛁 The Bathtope from LIXIL is made of a single piece of fabric, inspired by origami and the kimono. When you fill it, the fabric tightens and the shape stabilizes. When you’re done, you drain it, fold it, and suddenly the space is free again. Designers say it “hugs” you, rather than forcing you to adapt to inflexible contours. For now, it’s unfortunately more of a concept-realized product in Japan than globally accessible but I can definitely see it in more countries where people have to live in small flats. For me, this is quiet rebellion against permanence. Things doesn’t have to mean “always there.” Sometimes, true luxury is adaptability, space that bends to your rhythm instead of locking you in 🫶🏼 And then there’s the impact: 26% less water than a standard tub, recyclable materials, even the possibility of carrying the ritual outdoors. The Bathtope doesn’t just ask how do you want to bathe? It asks how do you want to live? ——— Image © designboom

Recirculating showers are game-changers in water efficiency. By cleaning, filtering, and reheating the same water during use, these systems can reduce water consumption by up to 90% and energy use by up to 70%. That’s not just great for the environment—it’s a win for consumers looking to reduce their utility bills too. So, why aren’t they already in UK homes? Current regulations require all bathing water to be 'category one' (i.e. drinking water quality), even though there is little difference between a recirculating shower and sitting in a bath. The Bathroom Manufacturers Association has been working to get this law changed. Here’s why: 🚿 Water Scarcity: With the UK facing a projected water shortfall of nearly 5 billion litres per day by 2050, technologies like recirculating showers are critical to meeting demand without compromising comfort. 🚿 Energy Efficiency: Heating water is one of the biggest contributors to household energy use. By recycling warm water, these systems significantly cut energy requirements, helping to meet net-zero goals. 🚿 Innovation Leadership: The UK has always been a hub for forward-thinking technology. Allowing recirculating showers could put us at the forefront of sustainable home innovation. Regulations should enable, not hinder, progress. By modernising the law, we can unlock this potential and take a significant step toward a more sustainable future.

Toilet Cleaning Robots Are Redefining Sanitation Toilet cleaning has long been one of the least desirable and most essential jobs in public spaces. Now, autonomous cleaning robots are stepping in to handle it with precision, consistency, and safety. ✅Equipped with AI vision, sensors, and disinfecting systems, these robots can navigate tight spaces, detect dirt, scrub surfaces, apply sanitizers, and verify cleanliness in real time. ✅They work overnight, in high-traffic restrooms, and in sensitive environments like hospitals, airports, and schools without fatigue or complaint. ✅The impact is bigger than convenience. These machines reduce human exposure to chemicals, bacteria, and physically demanding tasks, while raising hygiene standards and reliability. This shift isn’t about eliminating cleaners, it’s about elevating their role from repetitive labor to supervision, maintenance, and quality control. As sanitation becomes smarter and more automated, public health, dignity at work, and user experience all improve. 💡Would you feel more confident using a restroom cleaned by a robot?

Sustainable Development through urinals? China has introduced a new generation of urinals designed to assess users' health through the analysis of their urine. This technological advancement is rooted in the nation's growing interest in leveraging smart health devices for personalized health monitoring. These smart urinals are equipped with sensors and analytical tools capable of measuring various health indicators, such as glucose levels, pH, protein content, and specific gravity, to provide a comprehensive health assessment. By connecting to smartphones via an app, users can receive real-time health feedback, alerts, and recommendations based on the collected data. The system's goal is to offer a proactive approach to health management, allowing users to monitor potential health issues like diabetes, urinary tract infections, or kidney diseases from the comfort of their own homes or public facilities. These innovative urinals aim to make health monitoring more accessible and less intrusive, reducing the need for frequent clinic visits for certain tests. They also offer a glimpse into the future of healthcare, where technology plays a pivotal role in daily health management. Though still in its early stages, this new technology represents a significant step towards integrating smart health devices into everyday life, with the potential to revolutionize how people monitor and manage their health. #sustainability

That's a fascinating glimpse into how "ambient health" is reshaping daily life—tech embedded so subtly that it feels invisible until it delivers value. China's smart urinals, powered by AI-driven urine analysis (detecting markers like glucose, protein, or pH via spectrometry), exemplify this trend. Users scan a QR code for instant results on their phone, often linking to apps for doctor consultations or lifestyle tips. Pilots in cities like Hangzhou and Shenzhen have shown uptake, with data feeding anonymized public health insights too. This mirrors broader "invisible tech" waves you're attuned to in AI/IoT for environmental monitoring—like Saudi afforestation projects using sensors for soil/plant health. In India, similar integrations could thrive in industrial hubs like Jamshedpur: imagine smart fixtures in factories or refineries (à la Reliance's Jamnagar expansions) screening for fatigue markers in workers, boosting safety and productivity without disrupting workflows. # Global Parallels: Japan's smart toilets: Toto's models analyze urine/stool for diabetes risks, already in 80%+ of public restrooms. India's pilots: Startups like Niramai use thermal imaging in clinics; scaling to public spaces via IoT could cut healthcare costs by 20-30% in Tier-2 cities. Enterprise angle: For Reliance or Flipkart-scale ops, this means supply chain health monitoring—worker vitals via wearables/urinals to optimize shifts. The real power? Data aggregation for predictive analytics, much like IoT in clean tech. Prevention scales when it's frictionless.

From Wearables to the Bathroom OS Toilets are becoming the new health platform 🚽 Kohler Co. is building Dekoda, a first-of-its-kind sensor that snaps inside the bowl and turns every visit into actionable data: 💧 Hydration: real-time urine analysis, trend tracking, under-hydrated alerts 🦠 Gut health: Continuous reads on frequency, consistency, and shape become practical insights for everyday routines. 🩸 Early signals: detects blood in the bowl for faster awareness I think this is incredible because you don’t have to wear anything or change your routine. It’s an easy first step for people who aren’t into heavy tracking : prevention that’s accessible, not overwhelming. You just have to install it and live your life. Serious R&D behind it, super easy setup, and frankly more valuable than occasional checkups because the data is continuous. For anyone who hasn’t been « into tracking, » this is a low-friction first step to understand your body and build healthier habits. I love this shift! ✨

Your bathroom used to be private territory, but now it’s becoming the center of data 👇 And this is because toilets are turning into health trackers. The shift is simple. Wearables track what your body DOES. But toilets can track what your body OUTPUTS. Things like hydration, gut signals, weird changes - all without you doing anything. Example 1 - Throne Science: - A toilet attachment that automatically tracks your bathroom visits. Decoding your digestive patterns and hydration so you can get insights on your daily routine. Example 2 - Kohler Co. Dekoda: - Similar to Throne, it’s a toilet attachment that analyzes gut health and hydration, but this one also mentions that it detects the presence of blood for potential health risks. Example 3 - Withings U-Scan Nutrio: - This attachment is specifically for urine analysis. Capturing insights like Ketone levels, Vitamin C levels, Bio-Acidity, and HydroStatus. All of this is a signal towards ambient health tracking - turning passive moments into diagnostic opportunities. And sure, a camera near the toilet is a hard sell, even if it’s aimed down. But my bet - the winners will make it feel as normal as a scale or a ring, and people stop thinking about it.

Japan has introduced a futuristic “human washing machine”, capable of cleaning, massaging, and drying a person in just 15 minutes. Originally designed for hospitals and elderly care, the capsule-like device combines warm water jets, ultrasonic waves, and drying systems to provide a full-body wash without effort. This technology could be life-changing for people with limited mobility, reducing dependency on caregivers and improving hygiene standards in medical facilities. The machine also offers customizable cycles — from quick refresh washes to longer spa-like treatments. While it may sound unusual, Japan has a long history of pioneering robotics and automation to enhance daily life. Experts believe such machines could one day be common in homes, hotels, and even space missions, where quick, water-efficient cleaning is essential. It reflects Japan’s broader vision of merging technology with human comfort and dignity. #JapanInnovation #FutureLiving #HealthcareTech #Robotics #SmartLifestyle

📝High-tech public toilets: The self-cleaning revolution Public toilets have long had a bad reputation : unhygienic, unpleasant, and often avoided unless absolutely necessary. But in recent years, technology has stepped in to change that image The latest innovation? High-tech public toilets that clean themselves These modern restrooms are designed with automation and hygiene as top priorities. Once a person leaves, the system automatically locks the door and begins a full cleaning cycle. ✅Automated floor cleaning: Rotating brushes or high-pressure water jets wash and sanitize the floor. ✅Toilet bowl disinfection: No manual scrubbing needed : the seat and bowl are washed, scrubbed, and dried automatically. ✅Touchless operation: Doors, flush systems, and sinks are activated via sensors, minimizing contact with surfaces. The interior is sleek and minimal, with wall-mounted fixtures to make cleaning easier. Some designs even feature antimicrobial materials to reduce bacteria buildup. Lighting is often bright and welcoming, breaking away from the dark, dingy stereotype of public toilets. Why they matter 1) Hygiene & safety: Significantly reduces the spread of germs. 2) Efficiency: Cuts down on the need for constant human cleaning crews. 3) Accessibility: Often designed to meet universal design standards, making them friendly for people with disabilities. 4) Sustainability: Many systems use recycled water for cleaning and are designed for low energy consumption. Cities like Tokyo, Paris, and Seattle have already adopted these futuristic facilities. They're especially popular in high-traffic tourist areas, transport hubs, and parks.

Excited to share our recent feature in ChosunBiz on how toilets can become powerful tools for early disease detection. Our Smart Toilet system automatically logs defecation metrics—stool drop time, frequency, consistency, and more—translating everyday behaviors into actionable health insights. This research was recently published in Advanced Science and awarded the 2023 Ig Nobel Prize in Public Health. We plan to deploy pilot units in hospitals in Korea and Singapore next month, with commercialization targeted for early next year. 📰 Full interview (Korean): https://lnkd.in/g_bpp8ds 📄 Publication: https://lnkd.in/g9HeP52A #SmartHealth #PrecisionMedicine #DigitalBiomarkers #SmartToilet #IgNobelPrize #HealthcareInnovation #NTU