Scientists have built a self-driving toilet that can move around the house, allowing people to use the lavatory wherever they like. The £3,200 Xiaoban smart toilet, now available in China, is a walking, talking, and poop-grinding commode.
Designed for the Elderly and Mobility-Impaired
The mobile toilet moves in a manner similar to a Dalek from Doctor Who and is the creation of toilet experts Yueban. It is specifically designed to help elderly people and those with mobility issues use the toilet without needing to travel to the bathroom. The product was officially unveiled at an Elderly Care Expo in Shanghai.
According to a video posted by its inventors, the toilet is described as "a ground-breaking assisted device" that allows "the toilet to come to the person" instead of the person going to the toilet.
Features and Capabilities
The robo-toilet can "handle absolutely everything" and is "automated and contactless for caregivers, eliminating many of the most unpleasant aspects of manual care." The video explains: "Users can both urinate and defecate in the device. You can comfortably poop and do not even need to reach for toilet paper." Once finished, the robot initiates a built-in bidet system for automated washing, followed by a warm-air drying cycle.
For those concerned about odors, the toilet features a "heavy-duty odour control mechanism that instantly engages, sealing the internal chamber airtight to trap and neutralise any smells." Additionally, the toilet can "grind" excrement for easier processing and has a "robotic arm" to flush away waste. The loo can also be commanded to leave the room once its function is completed.
Self-Cleaning and Charging
When it returns to its base, the toilet "automatically refills its clean-water tank from the home water line and recharges its battery."
Social Media Reactions
Social media users in China reacted positively, with many celebrating the product's potential to help the elderly and reduce the burden on carers. One user wrote: "This will solve the urgent needs of disabled elderly people in the dark," while another added: "I applaud any product that can empower people's lives."
Unfortunately for those eager to try the toilet, it is only available in China for now.
