Friday November 11, 2005

Toilet User Experience?

Toilet User Experience?

Yes, I am in Tokyo again. I know this subject has been done to death. But Japanese toilets are fun. Hmmm, or rather, their user interfaces are fun, shall I say?

The hotel version is a compromise solution that caters to the western visitor. It has a simple set of the usual functions - enough to make it fun to use. Notice that there is no button for flushing on the control panel. Instead one has an actual handle to flush with. It makes for a context switch. Right when you are in the midst of trying out all the functions, you have to remember to revert to an old fashion handle to flush. And, the handle is tied to the control panel so you have to wait for the toilet to get out of "standby" mode before it will actually flush.

Then there is the "office" version. This is from one of the buildings that Sun has offices in. It has more features - some of which are not apparent. A heated toilet seat is an amazing experience. Then there is the automatic "water running" sound that starts as soon as you sit down. Unclear if the men's bathroon gets this feature or not. I wasn't going to try to find out.

However, there is no handle. And no button to initiate a flush either. Instead there is a sensor behind the toilet to automatically flush. And instructions for how to wave your hand over the sensor, in case you need to initiate manually.

For the germ-conscious in the crowd, there are no seat covers in the office model. There is a dispenser of "clean gel" that tells you how much toilet paper to tear off - and how to fold it up - so that you can wipe your seat down before use.

Don't forget to let it dry before sitting down.

[evil laugh]

Update

The picture that goes with Gemm's comments...

( Nov 11 2005, 02:28:57 AM PST ) Permalink Comments [1]