RFID is in the toilet
posted May 14th 2005 9:30AM
We love any advances in toilet technology because, well it's the only room we can enter at Engadget HQ without escort. Today, AquaOne Technologies announces the H2Orb, an RFID-enabled water monitoring device that will recognize when your toilet is leaking, overflowing, or has an "open flapper" [insert joke here]. The device consists of three components: a tank sensor, a bowl sensor, and a control unit which includes an RFID reader and is powered by a standard coin cell battery which needs replacement every 5 years. If a sensor detects a problem, the RFID tag transmits this to the control unit which can emit an (audible) alarm or shut off the water supply. Think of all the tortured high-school freshmen this could save! If the alarm is a problem then an optional pager with RFID reader (for hotel housekeepers or pervs) can detect a toilet's status when within the 6-foot transmission range of the sensors. That's a nice start, but we'd like to see this integrated into a systems management solution - HP, you listening? The H2Orb will be available to the public beginning late August 2005, and retail for $89.95US - pagers will be priced separately.
I'm going to take a dump right now.....well within the next few seconds. This article just reminded me. RFID this!
Here's the real question - why the hell can't I get a non-stick (teflon?) coated bowl? Throw in some of the antibacterical coatings we're seeing on keyboards and cell phones, and we might have something to write about...
Right where RFID belongs, while they are at it why don't they take those National ID cards and put them in a toilet and flush?
No, no, no. The *real real* question is, what's the lady in the illustration looking at? I think we all know the answer to that one but more surprising is that she seems delighted.
Actually, that image is highly copyrighted, and I sure hope Engadget has permission to use it.
The image is a very well known one umogst us tool freaks, and is owned by Duluth Trading. The artist of that image (and all Duluth Trading images) lives not far from me in the cold midwest.
See here: http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/longtail.asp?c=catshirts
To #2 (Mike), the non-stick toilets already exists, just look at the head in a Boeing 747 and others. It's just that for home use, no one seems to be shipping one....