In the United States, which suffers from a lack of public toilets, “smart toilets” using advanced technology are attracting attention as an alternative.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 20th that a public toilet platform developed by Sron Labs, a Washington, DC-based startup, is spreading in major cities across the country.
Smart toilets developed by Sron Labs can be used after user authentication through apps and text messages.
Bathrooms have a 10-minute limit on use, and an alarm sounds when smoke is detected due to smoking. In addition, if inappropriate use is accumulated, use is restricted.
When it stinks, the automatic ventilation system is also activated. All toilets have a stand-alone structure, equipped with solar power, a water tank, and a wastewater storage tank, they operate without connecting water and sewage.
Ann Arbor City, Michigan, signed a five-year contract to maintain eight units after piloting 10 units over the past year. “Despite 100,000 uses, citizen satisfaction was very high,” said Derek Delacott, director of Ann Arbor City Public Facility Operations. “It is an unusual positive response.”
Los Angeles (LA) subway operator LA Metro also plans to introduce a total of 64 in preparation for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
LA Metro spent a total of $2.71 million this year on 30 installations and maintenance. This is $90,000 per device per year, which is estimated to be less expensive than building a regular bathroom.
Sron Labs’ toilets can be installed in a day without a separate infrastructure construction, and have been evaluated to have operated stably in areas with high social vulnerability such as homeless dwellings and drug addiction.
Sron Labs has installed more than 100 across the U.S. so far, and plans to advance technology such as anti-odor sensors in the future.
JENNIFER KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
