Latest news with #smarttoilets
Free Malaysia Today
23-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
What's happening with ‘BMW-class' smart toilets, Ti asks Nga
Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker said housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming owed the public an explanation. PETALING JAYA : Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker has demanded an update from housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming on the minister's initiative to turn four public toilets into smart toilets. Ti said there had not been any progress report after Nga announced in November that an additional RM4 million had been allocated for the toilets to be built in four locations in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. 'It isn't a paltry sum, which is why the ministry owes the tax-paying public an update,' he said. Ti said the public needed toilets that were clean and functioning. However he questioned the need to spend RM4 million on four toilets at a time when the people were grappling with the increasing cost of living. 'This money could be put into better use by providing low cost housing for the needy. We should not be tone deaf to the plight of the hard-core poor by replacing their needs for shelter with million dollar toilets,' he said. Last year, Nga said funds were allocated to construct two 'BMW-i' or Bersih, Menawan, Wangi (clean, attractive, and fragrant) smart toilets each in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, with such features as built-in automatic bidets, automatic floor-cleaning machines, and automatic doors for people with disabilities. Ti said today: 'We don't need no BMW-class toilets. We need functional and easy to maintain toilets instead of high class toilets with higher end maintenance.' He said a recent outcry over a MyKiosk project by Nga's ministry had made it even more urgent for an update on the toilet scheme. In May, Selangor MCA Youth filed a complaint calling for an investigation into the project's funding and execution. In response, Nga dismissed allegations that the initiative was a white elephant. Under the plan, standardised trading spaces will be provided for rent by the B40 group and small traders.
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Alexa, flush my loo': Aus smart toilets on the rise
First it was smart phones and cars, now AI is taking over the littlest room in Aussie houses, with loos that wash, blowdry and respond to commands as costs fall to surprising lows. Once in the unaffordable giddy heights of $18k each offshore, smart toilets have reduced significantly in price as technology and demand grows, with cashed up Aussies now seeing them as a real gamechanger - bringing homes into the realm of luxe hotels like Park Hyatt Sydney and the W in Melbourne where they're used extensively. Aus miners hit by $105m foreign takeover Prices here hover around the $4k to $5k mark now allowing renovators and new home builders especially a perfect single move upgrade to space where the average person spends somewhere around 15 to 30 minutes of every day. Reece Bathrooms and Kitchen, which has been selling smart toilets since 2017 in Australia, is seeing continued year-on-year growth, with merchandising leader Daniela Santilli finding it was about more than just comfort, with things like sustainability and wellbeing a key part of the appeal. 'As Australians continue to invest in wellness-inspired living, the trend towards investing in luxury bathroom features, like smart toilets, shows no signs of slowing down,' she said. 'They are an increasingly popular choice for our customers and can be seen in Australian homes, hotels, aged care centres, and businesses across the country.' 'In terms of geographic split, we've seen no major difference in uptake between major metropolitan areas. However, to date, they've been more popular in the big cities than regional Australia, due to their inclusion in new hotels and aged care homes.' MORE: Quirky solution to housing crisis She retails those like the Roca In-Wash Inspira Smart Toilet which is not just self-cleaning, but has user sensors, smart washing and drying functions, adjustable temperature and pressure controls for both seats and water - costing $4-5k. Ms Santilli said 'some stores have working models you can try; however, we recommend calling beforehand to check'. According to Reddit users pondering important questions, the average rest room daily use could be anywhere between 26 minutes to half an hour - though some do lose track of time there. Redditor Lingchen8012 calculated that if the average lifespan was 80 and someone learnt to use the loo from 3 years old, they would spend 'around 730,730 minutes in the rest room for their entire life' or 1.74 per cent of their life - about 1.4 years. Though that was immediately disputed by other Redditors such as HeartonSleeve1989 who said 'Psh..... like 15pc bare minimum', and Timmy_Torture_ who said 'at least every morning half an hour, forgetting I'm sitting on the toilet being on Reddit and waking up. Good morning.'
