Laboratory Prototypes of User Friendly Toilets

(developed and evaluated in the framework of FRR research project)

Overview

This page outlines a selected number of new components and features the FRR laboratory prototypes consist of. The FRR components have been tested extensively at up to 5 European test sites in a laboratory environment. Additionally some selected FRR modules have been evaluated in a real life environment.

Adjustability of Height and Tilt Supports Transfers and Standing Up

Via actuators (motors) the toilet bowl (and seat) can change height and tilt in a wide range. A conventional hand held remote control provides 6 buttons: height up/down, tilt more/less, flush and nurse call.

• By moving into a higher position and by tilting forwards the toilet can significantly support the user during process of standing up
• By moving in the most convenient position the transfers from and to wheelchairs are supported
• The effort necessary to be provided by carers during a manually assisted transfer is reduced

Grab Bars

New types of vertical grab bars and improved versions of horizontal grab bars provide useful means for hold on.

Toilet Seat to Ease Transfer and to Increase Body Stability

Left side and right side of the toilet seat two boards ("wings") are available which have the the same height as the centre part of the seat.

• Place for personal belongings
• Possibility to hold oneself in order to increase ones body stability
• Support for transfers (the process of transfering between wheelchair and toilet can be done in several small steps)

Touch Screen Provides a Highly Flexible Control

A touch screen user interface demonstrator provides an alternative to the conventional hand held control. Provides dynamic screens, different modes and acoustic feedback.

Voice Control provides a "third" hand

Controling the toilet via voice provides an alternative for steering toilet (height and tilt of bowl, flush), environment (e.g. light and light level), and alarm / nurse call call. It can be seen as an additional "third hand".

• For carers who are using both hands for assisting the primary users
• For users with a wheelchair while transfering to / from the toilet

Voice Output Provides Guidance

Optional the toilet can inform in synthetic voice what will happen or what task already has been completed.

Embedded Intelligent Control and Enhanced Safety of the User

A control unit is receiving sensor data and is controling the whole FRR toilet system. Intelligent sensors provide data which

• allow the control unit to estimate the user's intention (e.g. the intention to stand up - as an option the toilet can react on this by moving the toilet seat in a higher position).
• Other sensors provide means for recognising falls which are an important and crucial issue in the toilet area especially for frail older people. The toilet system can trigger alarm calls if a potential fall was recognised. In this way the safety of fragile persons can be further improved and critical situations can be avoided.
• Remote maintenance is possible via internet
• An alarm can be triggered manually in different ways: via voice control, via pressing a button or just via shouting loudly (regardless in which language).

Personalisation via FRR Smart Cards

Smart cards are storing the user's preferences in a contact less way (based on RFID technology). These data can be recalled by the prototype when the user enters the toilet room. In this way the user can find the toilet prototype always with the same settings as he/she needs / prefers. The smart card can also be used as key allowing access to toilets in a contactless way.

Multi Lingual Supports for an European Solution

enables the users to use their mother tongue (or other preferred language) regarding synthetic speech output, voice control, textual information displayed on touch screen regardless of where in Europe the FRR toilet is located .

Door and Door Handle

A space saving door and a new type of door handle are improving the access to the toilet room.

Appropriate Illumination and Color Contrast to Support Visually Impaired Persons

Guidelines for lighting and color contrast suitable for visually impaired users were developed and tested.

Personal Hygiene - Moveable Comfort Wash Basin

A small wash basin which can be moved towards the user while he / she is sitting on the toilet was designed.

Additional and General Information about FRR project

... is to be found on http://www.fortec.tuwien.ac.at/frr and on http://www.frr-consortium.org.

Other more detailed links: