After much thought about this weeks blog post I have come to the end of the roll of choices to talk about, none other than the toilet. In particular the automatic flushing system that is available in some public toilets today.
Hands-free toilet technology has a real stink to it. There are three key points one must understand that a good loo should allow you to do.
1) Clean the pool. No one likes to go on top of someone else's. A real difficult if you are jumping up and down in front of the sensor because the last flush did not leave a clean pool.
2) Clean the pool, again. No one has to admit it, but I am sure some of us are more prolific than others. This is when the user wants to be courteous to the patron after so they do not have to experience Point 1.
3) Courtesy flush. If you plan on dropping the kids off at the pool, and plan on spending some extra time there contemplating life or reading the newspaper. Please oh please, flush. The kids do not need to linger any longer than they need to. Send them on their way.
The automatic flushing toilet just makes the above tasks much harder. Not only that, it confiscates power from its users! I guess though people are expecting new technology even in their public toilets, and shopping malls are supplying them with it, and with saying that the technology is getting smart as time goes on and more economical. Especially with the advancement of sensors and their ability to decipher between dark and light, as they work on absorbing laser light instead of reflecting it back to the sensor. Although this sort of technology will cost more upfront, but the repairs are not arising because of people "drop kicking" the flush button like Jackie Chan, in avoidance to touch that dreaded flush button. The hygiene benefits win with the "hands-free" approach however, prior to this creation, the foot-pedal flush was working just fine. No questions as to what had touched that pedal before, because you are using the sole of your shoe. And hey, no worries if that first flush was not enough, just give it another boot and your loot will have gone down the shoot.
Just something to consider if you are reading this on an electronic device whilst taking some time out sitting on the throne, we all know you do it.
- mote
Resources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voPWIGAAxng&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLB0E77127E5D06C2D
What I also do not like about this new touch free technology is when they try to involve it in the wash basin and soap dispenser and hand drier. I agree the concept is a good one, however they are lacking in the workability of it. Too many times I have been standing there and waving my hands around a sensor that should be there but does not appear to be there, but it is there but i am forced to bend over and contort myself to physically look for the sense which should be there but does not appear to be there but in actual fact is there. So yes the concept is good, the final product, in terms of user interaction, still need a lot of work.
ReplyDeleterazan sappideen
Definitely agree with the foot flush being a better option, its probably cheaper anyway.
ReplyDeleteSensor flushes dont make a hell of a lot of sense to me, unless they're there to ensure people dispose of their business correctly. which should be a crime if not done. Surely you wash your hands afterwards anyways? and how incredibly dirty are people's hands going to be that washing your own afterwards is not going to be sufficient? the argument eats itself.
Purely from a logical stand point the sensor taps work better, but the delay time makes everyone look like an idiot. Ive used foot systems in planes and overseas so how hard could it be?
Ed