A toilet with smartphone connectivity, voice assistant, motion-activated seat… meet Kohler’s Numi 2.0

Kohler’s Numi 2.0 smart toilet is being showcased at the India Design 2024 exhibition. Salil Sadanandan explains the tech behind the aesthetically designed smart toilet.

The Numi 2.0 smart toilet comes in two variants and is priced at Rs 16 lakh and Rs 20 lakh. (Image: Kohler)

“Bathrooms are seen as a utilitarian or functional space, but we are changing it,” Salil Sadanandan, President – South Asia, Asia Pacific, Kohler, explains the thinking of the American company which showcased Numi 2.0, its most advanced smart toilet, at the India Design 2024 exhibition in New Delhi. With its advanced features such as voice assistants and commands to Alexa, inclusion of heated, integrated personal cleansing, dual flush, and a motion-activated seat cover, Numi 2.0 is the toilet of the future.

According to Sadanandan, Kohler is looking at the young audience and seeing how they are consuming technology to make unique products. “We do not use technology as a gimmick. It’s very important for us to use technology for something truly meaningful and relevant to the consumers,” he says, citing the example of Sveda, launched last year. “Firstly, it is beautiful – you will want to buy it because it’s aesthetic. But it produces steam. So you can walk into your bathroom, and you can use steam for both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes.”

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Bathroom designs, says Sadanandan, are a medium for Indian consumers to express themselves. The average home buyer in India is becoming younger, he reminds us, adding: “Today, the median age of somebody buying a house is 30 to 35 years. I bought a house in my mid-40s. This is an audience that is accustomed to technology. They live and breathe technology.”

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What sets Numi 2.0 apart

While Numi has been well-received especially for its design, Sadanandan says the latest Numi 2.0 carries forward the legacy with a titanium-coated black glass exterior which according to him is setting a new standard in aesthetics. “Users can control it through a smartphone app or voice commands. Imagine coming home to your favourite music playing in the bathroom. Additionally, it offers preset routines of lights and music for a personalised experience,” he explains.
From a hygiene standpoint, the Numi 2.0 includes features like automatic UV sanitisation, ensuring cleanliness after each use. “Our goal is to transform the bathroom into a sanctuary of privacy and luxury.”

Salil Sadanandan, president of South Asia & EMEAT at Kohler

Salil Sadanandan, President – South Asia, Asia Pacific, Kohler

Talking about Kohler’s approach to integrating technology into personal care products, Sadanandan says the brand aims to harness technology to genuinely improve user experiences. “For example, our mirrors feature defogging technology. While most mirrors fog up in humid environments like bathrooms, ours remain clear, offering a practical benefit that users will appreciate.” The focus on practical utility over mere novelty is evident across Kohler’s product range, from high-end to low-end offerings, he adds.

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The Numi 2.0 smart toilet comes in two variants and is priced at Rs 16 lakh and Rs 20 lakh. The product which has been launched globally is expected to arrive in India towards the end of the year. When asked about the delay in the India launch, he reasons: “It’s been launched, we just need to make sure that the ecosystem, in which the app and product interact, is working perfectly in India.” The Numi 2.0 was showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last year.

Bijin Jose

Bijin Jose, an Assistant Editor at Indian Express Online in New Delhi, is a technology journalist with a portfolio spanning various prestigious publications. Starting as a citizen journalist with The Times of India in 2013, he transitioned through roles at India Today Digital and The Economic Times, before finding his niche at The Indian Express. With a BA in English from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, and an MA in English Literature, Bijin's expertise extends from crime reporting to cultural features. With a keen interest in closely covering developments in artificial intelligence, Bijin provides nuanced perspectives on its implications for society and beyond. ... Read More