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Actually, generalizing this, the idea of collecting regular samples from regular bodily excrement is fascinating. Imagine a "lab in the toilet". Every time it

Actually, generalizing this, the idea of collecting regular samples from regular bodily excrement is fascinating. Imagine a "lab in the toilet". Every time it is flushed, it runs analysis on the current contents and produces reports if requested, or alerts if needed. "You're currently suffering potassium deficiencies, which can cause frequent headaches. Eat a banana to alleviate concerns."

panzerklein 11y ago
Adult Swim did an infomercial spoof about the same idea https://youtu.be/DJklHwoYgBQ https://youtu.be/DJklHwoYgBQ
Someone 11y ago
You don't have to imagine it; you could buy one 6 years ago (http://singularityhub.com/2009/05/12/smart-toilets-doctors-in-your-bathroom/ http://singularityhub.com/2009/05/12/smart-toilets-doctors-i...) And that was version 2. http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/06/28/spark.toilet/index.html?iref=allsearch http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/06/28/spark.toilet/index.ht... Shows you could buy one in 2005. From that description, it seems there was some room for making the thing easier to use then, though.
- granos 11y ago
  Maybe I'm paranoid, but my concern with these things has always been that Facebook (or Google or some other personal data aggregator) would buy the company and suddenly my toilet would be calling home to their servers (à la Occulus Rift). I'm sure they'll find a way to make it need an internet connection.
  - zxcvcxz 11y ago
    That's why you need an open source toilet that runs Linux.
    - disconcision 11y ago
      2016 is the year of linux on the toilet
  - scrupulusalbion 11y ago
    Do these toilets seriously not function without internet access? I guess I could see the toilet being essentially a sensor array with some networking hardware; the decision-making about your fecal content would then be done in a datacenter. As long as the stupid thing still flushes without internet access; I have never been more concerned about an IoT version of an existing appliance not doing its job. That is, I could stand an oven or blender not functioning; a toilet simply must work or the bathroom itself becomes nigh useless. "Honey, our toilet won't flush; are we still being DDoSed?"

panzerklein 11y ago

Adult Swim did an infomercial spoof about the same idea https://youtu.be/DJklHwoYgBQ https://youtu.be/DJklHwoYgBQ

Someone 11y ago

You don't have to imagine it; you could buy one 6 years ago (http://singularityhub.com/2009/05/12/smart-toilets-doctors-in-your-bathroom/ http://singularityhub.com/2009/05/12/smart-toilets-doctors-i...) And that was version 2. http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/06/28/spark.toilet/index.html?iref=allsearch http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/06/28/spark.toilet/index.ht... Shows you could buy one in 2005. From that description, it seems there was some room for making the thing easier to use then, though.

granos 11y ago
Maybe I'm paranoid, but my concern with these things has always been that Facebook (or Google or some other personal data aggregator) would buy the company and suddenly my toilet would be calling home to their servers (à la Occulus Rift). I'm sure they'll find a way to make it need an internet connection.
- zxcvcxz 11y ago
  That's why you need an open source toilet that runs Linux.
  - disconcision 11y ago
    2016 is the year of linux on the toilet
- scrupulusalbion 11y ago
  Do these toilets seriously not function without internet access? I guess I could see the toilet being essentially a sensor array with some networking hardware; the decision-making about your fecal content would then be done in a datacenter. As long as the stupid thing still flushes without internet access; I have never been more concerned about an IoT version of an existing appliance not doing its job. That is, I could stand an oven or blender not functioning; a toilet simply must work or the bathroom itself becomes nigh useless. "Honey, our toilet won't flush; are we still being DDoSed?"