The toilet of tomorrow has landed in NYC
A suite of high-tech public restrooms has started to land in New York City as part of a push by the mayor’s office to make it easier for people to find a place to go while they’re on the go.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday announced the first two modular bathrooms the city ordered earlier this year from the company Throne Labs started to operate on city streets. The rest, a total of 17, are expected to come online in the coming months.
The robotoilets of tomorrow can be opened only by texting a number via a smartphone or by using special tap cards, which will be distributed by community partners.
Once inside, users are put on a strict 10-minute time limit. As an occupant approaches the limit, a speaker inside the room emits an automated message telling them they’re running out of time. Once the 10 minutes are up, the speaker states, “Attention: Your use time has expired. The door is opening now,” in English and Spanish, before the automated door slides open, exposing the user to the public.
If someone still refuses to leave the futuristic bathroom, workers for Throne Labs will get an alert to go check things out in person. Officials said the employees could call the police if someone holes up in the robotoilet.
