Foreign New-Type Mobile Toilets
Foreign new-type mobile toilets mainly include portable toilets, the fully automatic rotating public toilets in the Netherlands, smart public toilets in New York, and mobile toilets in Kenya, each with unique features in design, functionality, and application scenarios.
Portable Toilets: Designed by German designer Eva Tint, these toilets have a leaf-like appearance and are made of special eco-friendly materials. When folded, they measure approximately 12×28 centimeters and can fit into a woman's handbag. Inside, they are equipped with super-absorbent agents that convert liquids into gel and prevent leakage, with usage instructions printed on the bottom. This design first gained attention during the 2008 European Cup and was mass-produced by a German company in 2009, sold in sets of three for 4.5 euros each in the European market. Initially targeting female users to address long queues for public restrooms, they later expanded to scenarios such as car travel and outdoor gatherings. They come with cleaning wipes for use and can be disposed of as regular garbage after use. As their application scenarios expanded, they gradually gained acceptance among more male users.
Fully Automatic Rotating Public Toilets in the Netherlands: Located on the streets of Amsterdam, these public toilets house two toilet units inside and are designed for seamless rotation. As soon as a person steps out of the cabin, the entire cleaning process starts simultaneously. The floor is flushed across its entire area, with used tissues, empty cans, and various small pieces of garbage being washed into an underground collection bin. Paired with permeable bricks, the floor quickly dries and becomes spotless. At the same time, the toilet rotates 180 degrees in place and moves into a dedicated cleaning cabin behind it. Multi-directional nozzles first evenly spread cleaning agents, followed by high-pressure water jets that thoroughly clean both inside and outside without dead angles. Finally, a high-pressure air pump quickly dries the toilet, completing the entire process in just a few seconds, leaving the toilet clean and ready for use again. However, access to these toilets requires a card, and they use a tiered time-based charging system, with a base fee of 0.5 euros and an additional 0.2 euros per minute.
Smart Public Toilets in New York: These are pilot smart public toilets launched by New York City with an investment of 4 million US dollars, featuring fully automatic timing, intelligent early warning, and remote supervision functions. Their most notable feature is a strict 10-minute time limit for use. Before the countdown ends, the system provides a voice reminder, and after timeout, it plays bilingual (English and Spanish) prompts, with the sliding door opening automatically. The toilets use intelligent unlocking methods, allowing citizens to enter by sending a text message or swiping a community-specific card. The equipment does not need to be connected to the city's water and sewage networks, enabling efficient installation at a lower cost. They are also equipped with touchless fixtures and free menstrual products, providing a clean and convenient environment.
Mobile Toilets in Kenya: These are mobile toilets launched by a Kenyan company that use solar energy to convert feces into a new type of kitchen fuel, improving sanitation conditions while providing eco-friendly energy and reducing tree felling. Although this new type of fuel is more expensive than traditional charcoal, it has high energy efficiency and a long usage time, actually saving 10% to 15% of monthly expenses. Moreover, each ton of fuel is equivalent to saving 88 trees.
