Does anyone else find it strange that we can lock our doors with our iPhones, find out anything we want immediately online, or even generate light with the flip of a switch, yet we are still using a piece of paper to clean up after using the bathroom? In fact, despite the fascinating new developments that we see in technology every year, the bathroom has changed relatively little since the invention of a flushing toilet.
But all of that could change within the next few years. Bill Gates is challenging new inventors to come up with an improved design to replace the toilets that are commonplace in Western homes. Part of the motive behind the challenge is to come up with a solution for the 40 percent of the world that does not have access to flushing toilets. So what might the future of the bathroom be like? Let’s take a look.
Waterless Toilets
One of the solutions was a waterless toilet, otherwise known as an incinerating toilet. It may sound like a run-of-the-mill port-a-potty that you might find at any construction site across the USA, but it is actually a far more sophisticated design that means that the was will not be stored, but incinerated. It is designed to be used in places where normal toilets are too expensive or difficult to install. This makes it perfect for those people who live in underdeveloped countries that must go without toilets. If you want one for your home however, be prepared to pay out—they are currently sold for more than $1,000.
In-Wall Dual Flush Toilet
In 2010, Toto debuted an in-wall, dual flush toilet. It is not only effective at getting rid of almost any kind of waste, it has a sleek design, and actually conserves water. Although it might not seem too different from the current, commonly used toilet design, it is actually groundbreaking in its engineering and clever use of water. One for the future for sure.
Solar Power
One winner in Bill Gates’ competition received $100,000 for his solar power toilet design. The cool thing about this toilet is that it is more efficient than just getting rid of waste. Solar panels produce power for an electrochemical reactor that breaks down the waste into hydrogen gas, which in turn is stored in fuel cells and used as back-up energy. What this means is that, even when the sun is not shining, previous waste has been converted into the necessary fuel to keep the bathroom running. Innovation at its finest.
Other Cool Bathroom Tech
It is not just our toilets that have undergone makeovers in recent years. Cool bathroom technology is constantly being tried and tested, with positive results. You may have noticed that in many public restrooms across the country, you no longer even have to touch anything in order to turn on a faucet. This same technology is available in our homes, including other home automation tech that will let you control things such as your lighting, and using your phone as a remote control, as seen in this Vivint reviews video. These breakthroughs continue to make our lives easier and much more comfortable, especially in the places where comfort is most appreciated.
Although the design of the toilet did not change much in about 200 years, it looks as though there is a bathroom revolution in the works. And for those of us who use bathrooms every once in awhile, it is very exciting indeed!
About the Author: David Glenn is a freelance writer who specializes in DIY home improvement techniques and home automation technology. He enjoys working with his hands and keeping up with the technology trends.