i+D - November/December 2019 - 42

The Luxury of Wellbeing - By Michele Keith

The easy-to-read KOHLERDTV+
showering system touchpad offers
fingertip control over temperature,
water outlets, steam, lighting,
and sound. It also has presets and
hydrotherapy programs.
(Image: Photo courtesy of KOHLER)

Lighten Up

(Image: Photo courtesy of DXV)

Several of our experts mentioned the progress being made with
lighting. Among a variety of products continually evolving and
winning over a wide audience are motion-activated LED lighting,
light that mimics that of nature during the day to help improve sleep,
illumatherapy, chromatherapy, and wayfinding lights positioned in
such heretofore unthought-of places as toilets to make life easier
for the disabled, aged, and children.

Voice Control Is Key

ADA, Eco, UD

If you think voice interaction is important, you're right. According to Froelich,
"Voice control in the home has been steadily growing, and we know through
research that 65 percent of consumers are already taking smart devices into
the bathroom, and 13 percent are actively using voice control there."

Have all these wellbeing-oriented devices pushed ADA and universal
design needs, as well as such ecological issues as saving water,
off the must-have list? Happily, our interviewees say "no."

The AT200 LS SpaLet
electronic bidet toilet has
not only a wayfinding light,
but an adjustable two-nozzle
water-spray system and an
air-purifying system. Plus it is
WaterSense-certified.

The newly updated KOHLER Konnect smart products are a great example,
taking convenience to the highest level. Capable of supporting multiple voice
services, consumers can interact with KOHLER Konnect by using voice
commands, hands-free motion control, and personalized presets. Among the
actions that can be employed are operation of an intelligent toilet, adjustment
of mirror-embedded lighting, filling a tub, and staying abreast of water usage.
Part of the drive for voice, Froelich believes, is that it is a more human and
authentic way to engage with technology and can make the experience
seem less tech-like-exactly what consumers are asking for: "technology
that doesn't overtly scream technology; technology that adds convenience,
not clutter."

Bailey believes that "homeowners and contractors are savvier than ever
when it comes to products that save water and energy, and many have
conservation top of mind. But, performance is also important to them.
"For example," she continues, "there is still the perception that to save
water you must give up water pressure. However, design innovations
have become so sophisticated that most customers are pleasantly
surprised to learn that you can have a luxurious showering experience
while saving natural resources." Among two of the many eco-friendly
options that ensure pressure and performance from the many brands
Ferguson carries are Hansgrohe Group's Raindance overhead shower,
which mixes water with air to give the feel of a heavier spray, and
ThermaSol's steam showers that produce steam in seconds,
not minutes.

In addition to taking great care to ensure KOHLER products are easy to
use, and any enhanced controls or technology positively add to the overall
experience, "many of our smart products offer three modes of control, voice,
app, or manual interaction with the product, allowing consumers to use what
is most comfortable for them," says Froelich.

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i+D - November/December 2019
i+D - November/December 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of i+D - November/December 2019
