DVLS

ABAS: Autonomous
Bathroom Assistance
System

Connor Spiegelman
Who Does This Affect?

Stakeholders: Business Owners, Janitorial Departments, Security

Departments, Bathroom User

Description:

-Bathroom a big determinant of cleanliness perception of place

-Every party is affected by the cleanliness and thus is a stakeholder

 Research

Hard surfaces can hold bacteria for hours to days

50 bacteria per square inch of toliet seat-How Stuff Works

7% of the United States is fearful of public bathrooms-Livestrong

70% of people would never consider going to a public restroom-Gas

Buddy Study
 Problem Statement

Problem Statement: Make public restrooms cleaner for men

 POV Statement

POV Statement:

User: Men

Need: To go to a clean public restroom

Insight: human intuition for acting poorly in situations drops when

there is the risk of getting caught acting in such a way increases
 Requirements
The design shall be an add-on to any existing bathroom

The design shall include an alarm system and indicator light for when someone
urinates on the ground/toilet seat

The design shall not have more than four sensors products

The design shall have maintenance schedule of no less than 1 change of sensor per
function per year

The toilets shall be hooked up to one larger container of air freshener which shall
spray upon finishing utilization of restroom.
 Criteria

1. Deterrence of negligent behaviour

2. Costs of system implementation
3. Cost of system maintenance
4. Aesthetics of system
5. Smell of entire bathroom
 Design 1

-Sensors on ground, toliet seat, and latch

-Alarm at top

-Latch that locks on the door

 Design B

Ground layered with liquid/thermal sensors

imbeded

-alarm system

-Latch lock

Sensor on toilet back

-Sensor on toilet seat

 Design C

4 devices that sensor and notify shine if

alerted

Devices monitor person, ground (2), toilet

seat

Light shines above door

Tank below for toilet

 AHP and Weight of Criteria

Actual deterrence is most important most weight

Cost is big determinant of actual adoption

Aesthetica appearance is important for premium business adoption but not essential
 Overall Decision Making

Picking something simple, clean, and ultimately effective was obvious

in Design C
Final Design

Bathroom Sensor
 How Design Works

Scans the floor for thermal and liquid activity (ground)

Other scanner scans for motion of toilet seat and liquid flow and is
placed on toilet seat

Light is triggered and lock is set into place if alarm is violeted

Febreze is sent into toilet following number 2

 How it Works

People are less likely to do something if there is a risk of getting

caught and embarrassed

The sensors and light will leave people in fear of being caught and will
act more properly

Continued proper behaviour will eradicate the issue over time:

people dont like messing up clean things

Febreze will eradicate bad smell that people dont like

 How it Works (2)

Should the light go off signaling bad behaviour then the door locks
and security is called. Other options for the light are available, such
as cueing a recording for police...etc.

Door lock lasts on 30 seconds with option to crawl under

All of this together should eradicate nasty behaviour

System is affordable, an add on, and aesthetically pleasing

 Cost and Materials
Epoxy wide ABS plastic in black: $10 material cost

with translucent red sensor light covers: $5

Microscopic sensors for liquid and thermal sensing: $30

Total for one device: $45

Device per bathroom: 4: $180

Margin: 40% + cost=$252

Accessories:

Canister of febreze: $100

Light: $15

Latch Lock: $45

 Summary of Learnings

Comprehensive coverage with sensors is difficult to achieve

Finding sensors with this ability was difficult

CAD Design was difficult but stroke of luck led to good design

Finding a balance between invading privacy but ensuring that people act well is difficult but can
be done.
 References

Brently, S. (2017, August 14). What is the Phobia of Public Restrooms? Retrieved September 15,
2017, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/127759-phobia-public-restrooms/

Hines, R. (2015, August 11). 5 Gadgets With More Germs Than Your Toilet Seat. Retrieved September 15,
2017, from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/reehines/2015/08/11/5-gadgets-with-more-germs-than-your-toilet-seat/#76010e57
12fe

Mac, A., Perusse, J., G., McTeague, D., & DeHaan, P. (n.d.). GasBuddy Reveals the Top-Rated Gas Station
Restrooms in Every State. Retrieved September 15, 2017, from
http://business.gasbuddy.com/gasbuddy-reveals-the-top-rated-gas-station-restrooms-in-every-state/