Toto’s futuristic toilet hitting the UK

Japan’s futuristic toilets have come to symbolise its hi-tech, progressive community, and now they are starting to become a hit in the UK.

Toilet giant Toto redesigned the standard toilet in 2002 by integrating a hydrophilic zirconium glaze, a rimless design and new a flush called Tornado Flush which flushes more economically. Keeping the toilet hygienic and bacteria-free is also a huge factor for the Toto company. A photocatalytic reaction (which requires no electrical assistance) that helps eliminate bacteria is created from zirconium, titanium dioxide and other elements which are incorporated into Toto’s ceramic. The washlet in the toilet distributes a pre-mist that avoids waste sticking to the bowl and once the toilet has been flushed a mist of e-water is sprayed. Finally, a UV light in the lid turns on once the toilet seat is shut, which reacts with the ceramic coating and e-water to break down all the dirt.

The toilet wand is made from a natural antibacterial, silicone material which is housed above the rim of the toilet, behind the flap and in a clean place. When needed, it sprays warm water at a forty-three degree angle which is the most efficient for cleaning. After each use, the toilet wand cleans itself inside out. The toilet’s standard features include a front and back wash with different temperatures and pressures to satisfy the consumer, heated seats, automatic opening and closing as well as built in deodorisers.

Specification and projects manager for Toto Europe, Floyd Case, stated: “The biggest challenge we have is getting people to think about the toilet. I think a lot of design and construction is more or less cut and paste because people don’t consider the toilet as being a technology driven area. It’s just a ceramic bowl, so we still have that challenge.”