Smart Toilets
Reports of a smart toilet do nothing to ease my concerns over privacy.
Introducing a model that automatically performs urine and fecal analysis for users and could then transmit the results to the family doctor via the Internet in the event the readings are out of line.
While there are positive attributes for such a device in the home I'm wondering how long it will be before someone suggests installing these toilets in the workplace to help control insurance costs. I also wonder what else I never thought would require an IP address will in the future.
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comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:32:25+00 by:
TC
No wait! it's the perfect use for bio-informatics! You install these comodes with "butt-print analyzers" in public areas, say the superbowl, and when they get a positive match the stall simply locks them in to wait for authorities.
#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:32:26+00 by:
TheSHAD0W
And of course the workplace toilets will monitor for "drug abuse", as well.
#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:32:26+00 by:
petronius
I have heard of "analyzing" toilets for some years as the next big thing, particularly in Japan where talking about elimination does not have the social taboo it does in North America. However, it is interesting that the Doonesbury comic strip had some web entreprenuers trying to sell real-time readouts from Dick Cheney's pacemaker to Wall Street. Actually, I think a readout from the Chairman of the Fed would be a bigger seller.