The Electronic Bath Water Cleaner

We love bathtime as much as the next guy, but we usually tend to run a fresh tub full of water before we turn on a podcast and settle in. Well apparently in Japan, bath water is a precious commodity that is passed on from generation to generation, and bathtime isn't used for cleaning, but for relaxation, so we're kind of glad to know that Japanese households have an option like this Electronic Bath Water Cleaner to keep that special liquid fresh and sparkly. The unit can run through 10 liters of water a minute and sells for around $425.

[Via TRFJ]

[SH @ Feb 1st 2006 2:32PM]

Eeew. That just totally kills the whole Geisha thing. Ugh.

[wako @ Feb 1st 2006 2:40PM]

Now, I know the Japanese people are smart and all, however didn't they know NOT to put electronics and water together? Especially in the bathe tub? Seems dangerous to me. Besides, I thought a filtration system was already made long long ago, I know my fish's water is being cleaned without the fear it might short circuit and killing them =]

[K. Drori @ Feb 1st 2006 2:57PM]

How do you HEAT the water once it's clean?

[Jimmy @ Feb 1st 2006 3:01PM]

DUHHHH!

A great way to get electricuted if you ask me!

[otakucode @ Feb 1st 2006 3:03PM]

wako: The only reason you don't worry about your fish is because you've been conditioned not to. Your fish tanks filter is just as electric as this device is. Honestly, can you not see your own irrational fear is nonsense?

I've always liked the Japanese idea of bathing. I'd like to have a traditional Japanese style bathroom... but $425 to filter bath water?! Does it heat it too? Then it might be worth it...

[lrhb @ Feb 1st 2006 3:08PM]

Japanese bathtubs are very sophisticated, and most have a thermostat to keep the temperature even! And, if you've ever been the last to bathe in a Japanese home, you'll know the water can get pretty nasty after everyone else has had their time in the bath...

[MrC @ Feb 1st 2006 3:11PM]

Remember that the Japanese clean themselves before getting into the tub to relax.

There's something wonderfully, spiritually, cleansing about dumping buckets of water on your head.

For K Drori- Japanese tubs have heaters on them to reheat the tub water. Many of them also have covers.

Think of them more as a hot tub you get into after a shower.

[Thispaceforsale @ Feb 1st 2006 3:34PM]

What they need is a miniature robovacuum- like the one used for cleaning a personal pool. It can run all along the sides, with an optional wireless model.

[PodMonkeys @ Feb 1st 2006 3:38PM]

In my grandmothers tiny apartment, the bathroom (there is a seperate room for the toilet) had a shower like area for cleaning, and a "bath tub" which was in essence a tiled hot tub minus the bubbles. This one was not very wide, but it'd deep enough to sit upright in with the water up to your neck. And they keep it really hot, almost scalding.

So to say "Eww! Thats sick!" you might as well say the same thing about hot tubs.

[ninjaKid @ Feb 1st 2006 3:46PM]

Jeezu. I think that by 2006 we've got the ability to have electronic devices that are waterproof . . . right?

Plus, I don't think you'd run this while you were IN the bathtub. Right?

[furtim @ Feb 1st 2006 3:50PM]

OH, YEAH, TOTALLY GUYS! THEY NEVER EVEN ONCE CONSIDERED THE FACT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE ELECTRONICS IN WATER! THERE'S NO WAY THE THING'S SEALED TO BE WATER TIGHT OR ANYTHING! JAPANESE PEOPLE ARE STUPID, BUT YOU GUYS ARE ALL AMAZING SUPERGENIUSES!

Also, American pool cleaners suffer from the same problem! People get electrocuted in their pools all the time! It's true!

*sigh* Sounds to me like some of the Engadget commenters need to jump into a bathtub with their toasters.

[Finished.Law.School @ Feb 1st 2006 3:52PM]

Electronic and water. I see tons of lawsuits coming from the use of this thing.

[Finished.Law.School @ Feb 1st 2006 3:54PM]

Electronic and water. I see tons of lawsuits coming from the use of this thing.

[Zorn @ Feb 1st 2006 3:54PM]

First thing I thought of on seeing that picture was looks like someone took some kind of toy pig that's plugged into the wall and threw it in a bath tub.

Either way, electrical things in the tub don't inspire confidence.

[applegeek @ Feb 1st 2006 4:38PM]

regardless of whether the tub has a heater - the device has a heater setting - so it will keep the water warm while it is cleaning it....

[David Oh @ Feb 1st 2006 4:45PM]

OMG, there needs to be more science and math in my country.

Even if water some how got in (like someone shooting a gun at the thing in japan, where they don't have guns), I'm sure they have numerous resistors and fuses and such so that it'll trip the circuit before it has a chance to do any real harm.

[Tom @ Feb 1st 2006 4:52PM]

Uh yeah, something about this doesnt sound too inviting. I think it may have something to do with water and electricity.

[tiuk @ Feb 1st 2006 5:02PM]

Let me guess.. it's USB powered?

[Matt @ Feb 1st 2006 5:27PM]

I guess I have a different opinion on this than everyone else.

Growing up poor I would have killed for something like this. I had nine brothers and bath water was at a premium, consequently 3 brothers would take a bath first. Water drained, tub refilled, and the next 3 would bathe. Sequence repeated for the last 3.

If yo uwere that last one to take a bath ... well - - if 3rd in line - better off not making your older brothers mad - -grin

[rasbill @ Feb 1st 2006 5:36PM]

u guys are all morons, im gonna go jump in my tub with my toaster just to prove you all that u wont get hurt, ill be right back

[Whiplash @ Feb 1st 2006 5:44PM]

"Also, American pool cleaners suffer from the same problem! People get electrocuted in their pools all the time! It's true!"

Our pool sweep was run on water pressure which powered the wheels. The suction was created by a pump which was OUTSIDE the water.

Obviously they've created a waterproof pump. But I still wouldn't trust it. And I still wouldn't sit in a tub of old bath water. Not without a generous scoop of Chlorine anyway.

[Le_Pen @ Feb 1st 2006 6:07PM]

Did is occur to anyone you might unplug the device from your GFCI outlet BEFORE you stuck your foot in the tub?

[Simone @ Feb 1st 2006 7:18PM]

All you geniuses who rush to point out that water and electricity don't mix probably don't even give a second thought to jumping into a pool or hot tub, which have similar filter system built in. At least with this device, you can unplug it and remove it before you get in. Try doing that at the local pool.

[umijin @ Feb 1st 2006 8:38PM]

What a buncha maroons!

In Japan, we also have bathtub water pumps (that look pretty similar), so we can use the water in our washing machines. This saves water, and energy if that water is still warm/hot.

It's funny how Japanese really like their baths - almost a national pastime. There is all sorts of crazy tech to get the ideal bath. But washing machines here usually don't use hot water, just cold. So, bathwater pumps solve that issue in an environmentally funny way.

[dubiousd @ Feb 1st 2006 8:50PM]

Finally I can pee in the tub without feeling guilty anymore.

[Pal @ Feb 1st 2006 9:48PM]

My mom, who lives in Japan, has a 24-hour bath system. It filters the water all day so that you can take a hot bath any time. It's very nice.

[Ben @ Feb 2nd 2006 3:30AM]

heh ... ehh

...

worldpeace,
ben
http://www.theflowingofthedao.com

[yup @ Feb 2nd 2006 1:46PM]

Awesome.

In : Egg drop soup from the "hot tub party"

Out: Delicious, refreshing drinking water!