Japanese toilet manufacturer TOTO has launched a new digital service to help people find available public restrooms and avoid long queues.
The service works by scanning a QR code with a smartphone. This code links to a website that shows a map of nearby restrooms and their real-time congestion levels, indicating how busy they are.
The system is connected to existing facility management technology. This same technology is used to automatically alert cleaning staff if a stall is dirty or has been occupied for an unusually long time. Users inside a stall can also scan a separate QR code to report specific problems, like a broken flush.
The service is available in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, and Korean.
This initiative addresses a common problem in Japan’s busy train stations and public areas, where long lines for restrooms, particularly for women, are a frequent issue. In a related effort, the Japanese government is also seeking budget funds to install more digital signs and adjustable walls to create more women’s restrooms.
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