When the pandemic hit and no one could find toilet paper, many people converted to using bidets. By using a stream of water to clean your backside, you not only save money on toilet paper, you also help reduce waste. Now Kohler has introduced the most premium bidet imaginable. It’s so advanced, it’s not even a bidet; It is an “intelligent toilet”. With a sky-high price tag of $11,500, you can expect it to tickle your bum every time and wash the dishes too. While it won’t do the latter, it earns its title by being loaded with technology you’d never expect to find in a toilet.
First, it has Amazon’s Alexa. Thanks to the built-in microphone, you can control the features of the toilet with your voice. We just hope Alexa isn’t always listening or recording. The toilet has Spotify built-in, so you can stream music to drown out unwanted noise. When you first walk into the Numi 2.0 intelligent toilet it detects your presence and automatically raises the seat. Kohler says it has a feature called Comfort Height. This means it’s taller than a regular toilet, so it’s easier to get on and off. You’ll be greeted by a warming seat pad as you gently lower yourself down. If it is midnight, there is a bright ring around the base. Once you’re in place, it blows warm air out from underneath to keep your feet warm.
While sitting in Numi is undoubtedly comfortable, the real fun begins when you finish your business. You can choose from two different flush sizes — 0.8 or 1.0 gpf — and the stainless steel “wand” that sprays gives you plenty of options. You can choose to have the front or back sprayed. Also, you can adjust the angle of the spray, water pressure and temperature. You can also choose to keep it vibrating or oscillating if you enjoy that sensation. If you’re the lazy type, you can have it flush automatically 60 seconds after it detects your exit. If you just want to do a number 1, the bowl has an LED for easy nighttime tinkling. Once you are done and the areas around you are cleaned, it will dry with a stream of hot air.
The toilet will even keep the stick clean with a UV light to help identify things. Kohler says it uses an “electrolyzed water system,” which helps it sterilize. The bowl is also “misplaced” before cleaning to simplify the process as a pre-rinse. There’s even an emergency reservoir that allows 100 flushes even if the power goes out. Talk about a toilet for the apocalypse.
There’s also a wireless, touch-screen remote if you don’t want to talk on your toilet. It can be mounted anywhere in the house and attached to any wall. It allows you to change the water temperature, angle and type of spray and everything else. It’s about the size of a smartphone and similar to the original iPhone.
The cleaning wand intelligently retracts and extends when it senses that a bowel movement is imminent. (Photo: Kohler)
As a premium product, Kohler doesn’t want you to buy the toilet yourself. For as little as $699, you can get Kohler’s virtual bathroom design service. This will give you access to three virtual meetings with Kohler designers about your plans. The company will send you high-resolution floor plans and renderings so you can see what it will look like. The product page lets you download 2D and 3D files of it, so you can add it to your design.
Sadly, the Numi 2.0 is only available in white. The previous 1.0 version was also offered in black, which looks slick all lit up. As The Verge points out, the Numi 2.0 is available through distributors, but you’ll soon be able to buy it directly from Kohler.
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