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Gates Foundation spent $200M funding toilet research

bloomberg.com

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Re: Gates Foundation spent $200M funding toilet research

#21

Post by PhasmaFelis »

jesterjester wrote: post #7
seibelj wrote: post #4

Has anyone tried to make an SV startup-style company sell Japanese-type toilets in America? I think a lot of people would like them

Considering people keep toilets for 5-10 years per toilet on average and the cost of a toilet is much less than the cost of an electrical bidet... It is not a great idea.

I have never actually heard of anyone buying a new toilet. I'm sure it happens, but 5-10 years? My parents' house still has the same toilet it had when they moved in 30-odd years ago, and it works as well as it ever did.

Also, I dunno about the electrical ones, but you can get a non-electric bidet for like $25 off Amazon. Maybe a bit more for one with hot and cold hook-ups and a temperature knob. You just run it with the nozzle aimed down until it warms up.

Re: Gates Foundation spent $200M funding toilet research

#23

Post by seibelj »

jesterjester wrote: post #20
seibelj wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow, solid link. Hopefully some clever entrepreneur will make it happen, someday

Did you just ignore the comment where I told you it's not even remotely feasible yet? Nor will it be until a radical change to the toilet or bidet comes?

You posted a couple sentence opinion and he/she posted a link with a lot of detail and mentioned an SV startup trying to solve it, which is what I asked. So thanks for your comment, I’m not saying it’s irrelevant, but the link was descriptive and more closely matched my question

Re: Gates Foundation spent $200M funding toilet research

#24

Post by akvadrako »

TylerE wrote: post #22
seibelj wrote: post #4

Has anyone tried to make an SV startup-style company sell Japanese-type toilets in America? I think a lot of people would like them

You can but them here already. Just no one does

Where and can you also buy them in Europe? I looked when remodelling my bathroom and couldn't find anything.

Re: Gates Foundation spent $200M funding toilet research

#25

Post by nolok »

PhasmaFelis wrote: post #16

I read the headline and thought, "That's weird, Gates isn't really interested in things that just save money these days." And sure enough, from the article: > "...may help end almost 500,000 infant deaths and save $233 billion annually in costs linked to diarrhea, cholera and other diseases..." So I guess that's Bloomberg for you. 233 billion dollars is a way more interesting lede than a mere half a million lives.

For the public they aim at? Definitely.

Re: Gates Foundation spent $200M funding toilet research

#26

Post by jesterjester »

seibelj wrote: post #23
jesterjester wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you just ignore the comment where I told you it's not even remotely feasible yet? Nor will it be until a radical change to the toilet or bidet comes?

You posted a couple sentence opinion and he/she posted a link with a lot of detail and mentioned an SV startup trying to solve it, which is what I asked. So thanks for your comment, I’m not saying it’s irrelevant, but the link was descriptive and more closely matched my question

It wasn't an opinion. If you are too blind to see the facts then that's your own fault. You asked a question, you got the answer and now you're so upset with it that you're trying to hide it?

What's the point?

Here are some figures for your fingers.

A toilet lasts 10+ years easily. It costs around $200-$300 and extra to install. The installation is simple since most bathrooms have a toilet. A bidet attachment can be picked up for $300-$500 easy. The installation is usually more expensive than the seat itself. Most bathrooms don't put power outlets next to their toilets.

People aren't not using bidets because of "funny feelings" or just being shy. It's because people are too lazy, a toilet does the same thing "in their eyes". Why add complexity when the toilet itself is dirt cheap and lasts much longer than the bidet?

Maybe when they come in with bidets, not making money and not revolutionising anything, perhaps someone will come sell hangover cure drinks even though it takes 10 seconds to realise the market doesn't exist.

Feel free to ignore these facts too. It's clear you're not looking for the right answer here, just something that will echo your own thoughts.

Re: Gates Foundation spent $200M funding toilet research

#27

Post by com2kid »

seibelj wrote: post #4

Has anyone tried to make an SV startup-style company sell Japanese-type toilets in America? I think a lot of people would like them

Most bathrooms aren't wired for electricity near the toilet.

That aside, you can buy Toto toilets in the US. The fancy ones are north of 4k, but they are available.

Cold water sprays are readily available, $60 and a 10 minute installation later.

Re: Gates Foundation spent $200M funding toilet research

#28

Post by lysium »

akvadrako wrote: post #24
TylerE wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can but them here already. Just no one does

Where and can you also buy them in Europe? I looked when remodelling my bathroom and couldn't find anything.

I saw an ad in the magazine “Schöner Wohnen“.

Re: Gates Foundation spent $200M funding toilet research

#30

Post by jedberg »

PhasmaFelis wrote: post #21
jesterjester wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Considering people keep toilets for 5-10 years per toilet on average and the cost of a toilet is much less than the cost of an electrical bidet... It is not a great idea.

I have never actually heard of anyone buying a new toilet. I'm sure it happens, but 5-10 years? My parents' house still has the same toilet it had when they moved in 30-odd years ago, and it works as well as it ever did. Also, I dunno about the electrical ones, but you can get a non-electric bidet for like $25 off Amazon. Maybe a bit more for one with hot and cold hook-ups and a temperature knob. You just run it with…

I bought three toilets when I bought my house, because the ones there were here didn't work. My in-laws bought a few toilets a couple years ago because theirs sprung a leak in the tank that was unfixable. Also, the water company gave rebates if you switched out your old one for a new efficient one.

I assume a lot of people buy toilets every day, otherwise Home Depot wouldn't have an entire aisle dedicated to them...

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