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SMS-based SatLav service guides Londoners to public toilets
If you've ever found yourself stuck in London with the insatiable urge to urinate in an alleyway, help is on the way. Believe it or not, a new SMS-based toilet finding service actually has the aforementioned predicament as a top priority to solve, and the Westminster City Council is hoping that people utilize the system to keep streets a bit cleaner. Cleverly dubbed SatLav, the technology enables individuals passing through London's West End to text the word "toilet" to 80097 in order to receive a (hopefully hasty) reply with details to get to the nearest public restroom. Unfortunately, the service will cost users £0.25 ($0.52) each time they use it, so we're a bit skeptical that alleyway urinators will happily cough up some coin rather than just sticking to old ways.[Image courtesy of BBC]
Hello Kitty gets her own automatic toilet paper dispenser
Sadly, automatic toilet paper dispensers are nothing new to this gadget-crazed world, but the latest from Sanrio puts a bizarre twist on an already zany contraption. The Hello Kitty TP dispenser is gushing with obligatory cuteness and can be programmed to dole out exactly the right amount of paper with each button press; of course, there really should be a couple of buttons to satisfy the whole family, but we digress. The unit reportedly rings up at around $220, which sounds about two bills too high unless you're already devoted to collecting all things adorned with Ms. Kitty. Ah well, at least your Hello Kitty toilet paper won't seem so out of place now, right?
Ladybug-styled robot to clean restrooms, give travel tips
Japan's no stranger to a wide variety of service-oriented robots, and it looks like it could soon become home to yet another mechanical being that does our dirty work. The Lady Bird prototype, which is set to hit production sometime in 2009, would scour the floors of public restrooms and keep things looking clean throughout the day. Reportedly, the bot stands about 1-meter in height and is equipped with amenities such as a water tank, brushes and a few other grime-busting tools to boot. Furthermore, it boasts obstacle detection sensors to avoid patrons while on the clock, and it even includes voice recognition software along with access to current traffic information in case someone has the urge to spark up a conversation. There's no word on what this thing will do should someone try to stuff it in their trunk for at-home use, but if all goes well, the creature is expected to sell for around ¥3.5 million ($31,713) when it goes commercial.[Via PinkTentacle]
DIYer crafts robotic flusher to save time, impress guests
If you're not exactly keen on dropping a substantial amount of dough in order to grab one of those snazzy Toto toilets that flush as you walk away, why not devise your own flusher that not only removes the need to stand around and hold the handle down for ten or so seconds, but also captures data on exactly how many times you visit the lavatory. Apparently, an artful fellow decided to do just that, and the resulting robotic flusher requires but one momentary press in order to successful flush any rigged toilet. And yes, the video (crank the volume!) is awaiting you after the break.[Via MAKE]
Because two strange new forms of input just weren't enough
Not content with resting on their sensory laurels, Nintendo decided to just go ahead and make another bizarre form of input (since it seems to be working so well). The upcoming DS title Slide Adventure: Mag Kid (which could use a better marketing team) will feature a "slide sensor" that fits in the GBA slot of the DS. It extends outwards onto the back on the DS, and when the device is placed on a flat surface, the sensor can pick up the sliding motion of the entire unit on said surface. It's a little weird, but it's got some cool potential. It does, however, reduce the true portability of the device, rendering both bus-play and toilet-play completely useless. And we sure do love our toile ... you know what, never mind.[Via Joystiq]
Top ten toilet titles
Bathroom gaming and portable gaming have always gone hand in hand -- after they've been thoroughly washed, of course -- so it's fitting that the private pastime go public with a "best of" list. Not sure which restroom releases to play while planted on the porcelain pot? The Tanooki has ten suggestions that'll bring you some relief. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney tops the lavatory list, though you might have to hold it for a while if you're planning to see an entire court case through to its end. Elite Beat Agents, everyone's favorite rhythm game, actually gets negative marks for its soundtrack: "Being forced to listen to Avril Lavigne and Hoobastank during your time of peril does far more harm than good." We were upset to see Puzzle Quest missing from the tally, but not every bathroom gamer shares our love of puzzle/RPG hybrids, shocking as that may seem. Which games do you take along with you to the loo? It is imperative that you tell us.
Kohler, Polk team up on SoundTile in-shower speakers
It appears that the art of singing in the shower is full comeback mode, as not only do you have the option of picking up a speaker-infused shower or bathtub, but now you can retrofit your current one with SoundTiles. Co-developed by Kohler and Polk Audio, these music makers are designed to "perfectly match the shape, profile and finish of the WaterTile bodysprays and showerheads," but we don't see any reason why a slimmed down, waterproof speaker won't work just fine in your current arrangement. The device sports a "marine certified" coaxial speaker in a four- x four- inch escutcheon, a stainless steel front grill, and can be controlled by Kohler's DTV II or wired into any vanilla sound system. The SoundTiles will only be sold in pairs, but should be offered in a variety of finishes for $295 when they land in May.[Via ElectronicHouse]
Inax's Satis Asteo Washlet toilet: pre-loaded with classical tunes
While there's certainly a market for techtoilets out there, Inax is apparently hoping that all interested john owners haven't already snapped up a Toto or Brondell, as its Satis Asteo Washlet doesn't do much to stand out. The musically inclined lavatory sports the obligatory SD slot, built-in stereo speakers, and an automatic lowering / lifting mechanism, but one interesting aspect of this iteration is the tunes that apparently come pre-loaded. While the translation is admittedly sketchy, Inax appears to have a number of classical pieces from the likes of Bach, Chopin, and Mendelsohn ready to rock, presumably to drown out less than pleasant ambient noises when you forget your own MP3-stocked SD card. Furthermore, the device can reportedly detect whether you'd prefer the lid up or down (saywha?) and the built-in nightlight should prevent any early morning surprises when sleepwalking into the restroom. Inax's latest toilets are available right now for those in Japan, and will set you back anywhere from ¥55,333 ($467) to ¥87,333 ($737), depending on model.[Via Core77]
Super Toilet Seat Bros.
As far as we're concerned, Mario spends way too much time saving princesses, racing karts, and partying with minigames. Meanwhile, we've got leaky pipes, a shower with almost no water pressure, and no one around to fix them in sight. For a guy posing as a plumber, Mario doesn't devote much of his day to practicing his plumbing trade.Extra Life's Scott Johnson, bathroom gamer extraordinaire, devised an evil stratagem to put the lazy plumber back to work. Drawing upon the power of ancient gods whose names were long forgotten before our sun even birthed its first flames, he set off a chain of inescapable events that left Mario's visage and eternal soul trapped on a toilet seat lid. What once was an ordinary lavatory now serves as his dark prison.Scott captured the sorcery on video, which you can watch past the post break. It's impressive to see that the only tools he used throughout the entire project were a Sharpie marker, a sheet of paper, and several demonic runes blessed by shadow priests of the underworld.[Via Infendo]
Toto's Z-series toilets recalled due to fire hazard
Sure, spontaneous combustion has occurred in a bevy of consumer electronics over the past year or so, but if there was one place even we thought you could count yourself safe, it'd be on the john. Apparently, this assumption is no longer valid for Toto toilet owners, as 180,000 of the company's Z-series units are now being recalled "after wiring problems caused three to catch fire over the past year." The electric bidet accessory is being shown the blame, as the faulty wiring not only torched a trio of units, but also caused smoke to come flowing out of 26 others. As expected, the firm will "repair the potentially fiery units manufactured between May 1996 and December 2001 for free," but we've no idea if Toto will be reimbursing the outhouse rentals for those sans a backup commode.
PSPee commercial demonstrates wee joke
Two men. One bathroom. "Can I play with it?"Sony's managed to capture a little bit of that Nintendo magic in this commercial for PSP. While we find it hilarious, critical inquiry forces us to ask: Who's creepier? The guy playing the system, or the guy taking a peek? Certainly, a debate for the ages. We can only hope that our readers aren't so enamored by their PSPs that they do the same as this unfortunate bloke.[Via GameTrailers]
MTI Whirlpools' Stereo H2O throws tunes in the tub
We know, you're already skeptical about this one, especially considering all the dodgy material that's already floated your way, but unless someone at MTI Whirlpools is blowing hot steam, this one is for realz. The Stereo H20 bathtub actually does manage to integrate audio-blastin' equipment into a container full of water without guaranteeing any sort of unexpected electrocution along the way. Touting the soothing benefits of "full-bodied sound," the tub rocks several acoustic transducers on the shell's exterior near the waterline, which should theoretically create a bucket of sound to "envelope" the bather in question. Additionally, the digital amplifier that powers said speakers includes provisions for your iPod (or any other DAP, we presume), CD / DVD player, or even an eight-track jam if you can find the correct adapter. Unsurprisingly, there's no word yet concerning the pricetag on this unique piece, but if it's anything like the musically inclined Aquagate shower, it'll probably be reserved for the more affluent set anyway.[Via OhGizmo]
The perils of bathroom gaming
Bathroom gaming has been a popular pastime for as long as handheld consoles have been around. We like to imagine that even before our age of technology, kids spent their lavatory leisure time playing ball-in-a-cup or some other antiquated equivalent. That's how far back this honorable tradition goes.As Infendo Radio host Scott Johnson can tell you, however, bathroom gaming does not come without its hazards. It's easy for things to go wrong while multi-tasking, but when you're sitting on the toilet is one of the worst times that can happen. Johnson has an entertaining, animated short describing his woeful experience. The Flash cartoon also serves as a warning to all you extreme bathroom gamers out there: playing New Super Mario Bros. in the work washroom might be fun, but if you aren't careful, it can quickly turn into a commode catastrophe.
Toto's Apricot toilet seat plays tunes from SD cards
Sure, talking about toilet seats can be somewhat awkward, but we're fairly certain you'd rather have a seat that sung to you while occupying the restroom than one that, well, didn't. Regardless of whether you're creeped out by a speaker-infused toilet seat or not, Toto is back and better than ever with its new Apricot. The seat maintains the SD slot and MP3 playback abilities of its predecessor, but this rendition also features a few "self-cleaning" abilities, a fragrance emitter, and an automatic light that turns on when it knows you're approaching. Furthermore, it looks to interface with a wall-mounted control unit that can queue up a playlist just as soon as it senses your presence, and as a good steward of the environment, shuts down when not needed to conserve electricity. So if you're strangely curious about sitting on an ultra-clean, sound streaming seat when visiting the bathroom, you can pick up Toto's Apricot next week for a staggering ¥109,200 ($900).[Via Impress]
Play Xbox 360 on a pimped out toilet
What do you take with you when you go to the bathroom? A book? A newspaper? A portable game system? How about an eight-pound Xbox 360? Yes, as NBC news reports, the "pimped out john" you see to the right includes an Xbox 360, as well as a flat-screen HDTV, a laptop, DVD player, Tivo, iPod dock and more. The one-of-a-kind super-toilet will be given away by plumbing company Roto Rooter to "re-introduce itself to a new generation." Not a bad start, but if you really want the new generation to pay attention, you really should get Christina Aguilera or Britney Spears involved somehow. [Via Xbox360Fanboy]
Urilift: the disappearing public urinal (and we do mean public)
While there's no shortage of bathroom-based oddities floating around out there, the Urilift system definitely takes top honors. Since the presumably alcoholics anonymous-approved Wizmark urinals can't keep everyone from getting a little tipsy, officials in Victoria, British Columbia are taking a note from European countries to keep urine off the streets. Rather than leaving inebriated party-going males nowhere to relieve themselves on the streets, the government is considering installing hydraulic toilets in the roadways, which are remotely triggered at night to appear from their subterranean dwelling place. While there's no doors or privacy factor involved, those who were previously choosing to take it to the sidewalks probably won't mind all that much, and designers say the open design discouraged loitering and criminal activity anyway. Priced at $75,000 a pop, Victoria plans to become the first North American locale to try these newfangled restrooms out -- and hey, at least we know where to head for a clean(er) Spring Break now, right?
The Bottoms Up intros Hygienic Automatic Toilet Seat
Storming into the oh-so-competitive world of highly advanced toilet seats is The Bottoms Up company, which has just unveiled its first (and only) product -- the Hygienic Automatic Toilet Seat. Unlike some snazzy editions which sport automatic jets, this version's claim to fame is its fully automatic, battery-powered lifting functionality that enables mysophobic individuals to use the restroom without laying a finger on the seat. Apparently, a sensor detects your "intentions" when approaching, and instinctively lifts the appropriate seat(s) to keep your hands away from the potentially germ-ridden area. The company is primarily marketing the product to women "suffering with dirty and open toilet seats" around the house, as well as public businesses who'd like to maintain a clean (ahem) reputation. Unfortunately, there's no promised release date or estimated price, so you're stuck using the tried and true "manual method" for the time being.
Pet Loo: backyard in a box for an apartment-bound Fido
As much as your dog might enjoy using the entire city (or at least a few nearby blocks) as its own private bathroom, taking your little furry friend for a "walk" every time nature calls can sincerely put a crimp on that wannabe hermit lifestyle you've been working on. Luckily, the new Pet Loo from Australia allows your pet to do his thing in style and comfort -- and keeps you away from those nasty and dangerous human beings you might encounter during a stroll. The Synthetic Grass provides a familiar bathroom zone for your dog, but is easy to clean and resistant to smells. There's also a collection tray in the bottom of the unit for "liquids." We're sure your dog won't mind a bit more freedom in his bathroom schedule, and we're absolutely looking forward to a review from Unkie Walt -- with his newfound penchant for bathroom gadgetry.[Via gizmag]
Travelodge trials Travelpod tent / hotel room
Although you may have skipped the whole Boy Scout thing as a kid and still can't envision yourself ever setting foot on a campground, Travelodge's Travelpod may be of interest. Chances are if you've never tried roughing it in the wilderness just for kicks, you may still have considered camping out for certain launches of inexplicable importance, or found yourself homeless after a long day at name-your-music-festival. Travelodge is aiming squarely at those who turn their noses at the the thought of a tent by offering a semi-portable hotel room at various outdoor venues. The palatial pod is sealed up by clear polycarbonate glass to keep those pesky creatures out of your dwelling area, and features a "luxury double bed" (since when have hotel beds been luxurious?), tables, lights, duvets, pillows, carpeted flooring, a mirror, and even a fully functional bathroom. While we're unsure how similar the restroom is to an indoor outhouse, we do admire the effort, and the sealed nature of the pod helps to quell the noises of the nocturnal. The Travelpod will be offered at various concerts and festivals in the UK next year, and if catching a good night's rest just doesn't happen while you're flat on the ground, you can shack up in style for £26 per night.[Via Core 77]
