Turns out this is just a week for gadget finds that scare me. Today's find is compliments of
WSJ Technology Guru Walt Mosberg. In today's journal Walt reviews a new toilet seat that warms, washes and dries the user. Walt says it best:
The Swash 800 doesn't have every bell and whistle of
the top-of-the-line Toto models. For instance, it doesn't automatically
raise and lower the toilet seat. But, like its rivals, it has three
main features. The first are retractable, automated wands that spray
water to cleanse the relevant body areas. The second is a warm air
blower that dries those same spots. The third is a heated seat.
You don't have to buy a whole new toilet to use the
Swash 800. It installs in place of your current toilet seat and hooks
up to the existing plumbing valve that's behind your toilet.
Hrm...but how does it it do its thing?
A wireless remote control panel that runs on two AAA
batteries controls the Swash's actions, and this remote can be mounted
on a wall if you choose. Ten buttons and a display cover the front of
this remote. The two wands are controlled by buttons on the remote
grouped according to the gender of the user. There's a single "For Him"
button that says "Back" and two "For Her" buttons labeled "Back" and
"Front." These buttons are accompanied by icons showing anatomically
vague stick figures.
For example, push the "For Her" front button and a
pink wand releases a gentle spray. Each wand is rinsed before you use
it, and after you arise from the seat, whether or not you used it.
Using the remote, you can adjust the force and
temperature of the water, and the temperature of the heated seat. You
must manually decide when to stop the water or air.
We found that the heated seat, which can be set to
automatically turn off or on at certain times of the day, was a great
feature. And the warm water -- once we got the temperature right -- was
also a luxurious twist on the normal bathroom experience.
But, while the water was nice, the dryer was awful. It
works only at one temperature and speed, and it didn't do the trick for
us.
My verdict? I don't anticipate trying one out any time soon....its just too weird. For what its worth these toilet seats are very popular in Japan--so maybe I'll try one on vacation someday.
WSJ Story
Brondell (The Toilet Seat Company)