Consumer electronics company Kohler has unveiled a new smart bidet called the PureWash E930 at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The voice-activated bidet features integration with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing users to control various functions hands-free using voice commands.
Key Features of Kohler’s PureWash E930 Bidet
The PureWash E930 comes loaded with high-tech features to provide users with a luxurious bathroom experience, including:
- Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant support for voice control of various bidet functions
- Remote control for manually controlling settings like water temperature and spray pattern
- Oscillating and pulsating water functionality with adjustable nozzle position
- Built-in air dryer and deodorizer
- Sleek, low-profile design with an illuminated touchscreen panel
- Self-cleaning capabilities
- Energy save mode to reduce power consumption
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Voice Control | Use voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant to control bidet functions like water temperature, spray pressure etc. |
| Adjustable Water Settings | Customize water temperature, spray pattern (oscillating, pulsating etc.) and nozzle position as per user preferences |
| Air Dryer & Deodorizer | In-built warm air dryer and activated carbon deodorizer for hygiene and odor elimination |
| Touchscreen Control Panel | Intuitive touchscreen interface to manually configure preferences and access device status/settings |
| Self-Cleaning Mode | Automated self-cleaning using UV light and electrolyzed water to sanitize the wand before & after each use |
| Energy Save Mode | Reduces standby power consumption when not in use |
Kohler Expands Its Smart Home Offerings
The launch of the high-tech PureWash E930 bidet aligns with Kohler’s expanding portfolio of smart home products. The company already offers a range of connected bathroom fixtures like smart mirrors, showers, bathtubs and touchless bathroom sinks.
At CES 2024, in addition to the voice-activated bidet, Kohler has also introduced new smart home concept areas like the Atmo Anthem Multisensory Environment. This transformative bathroom concept leverages various stimuli like fog, lighting, aroma and sound for an immersive user experience.
Kohler is betting big on innovative bathroom tech to differentiate itself from competitors. The global smart bathrooms market is projected to grow to $4.3 billion by 2028 as homeowners increasingly seek to upgrade and automate their bathrooms.
First Voice-Activated Bidet in the US Market
The E930 seems to be the first bidet offering voice control functionality from a prominent brand for the US market. While bidets have been gaining popularity amongst American consumers in recent years, they have not typically offered the level of smart integrations seen in Kohler’s latest model.
The voice control support on the PureWash E930 is designed to deliver a more luxurious, hands-free bathroom experience – allowing users to change settings, turn features on/off and recalibrate preferences by simply speaking to their Alexa or Google Assistant device.
Kohler is leveraging the latest AI and IoT innovations to make the bathrooms smarter and more responsive than ever before. The company expects its high-tech bidets integrated with popular voice assistants to resonate strongly with tech-savvy homeowners looking to upgrade their bathrooms.
Competitive Pricing in the High-End Segment
Though full pricing details have not yet been revealed, Kohler has indicated that the PureWash E930 will be competively priced versus bidet seats from other companies with similar features and capabilities.
As a premium smart bidet model with voice assistant integration, the E930 is likely geared toward the high-end of the market. While basic bidet seats typically retail between $500-800, models offering additional tech capabilities like heated seats, ambient lighting, user profiles and now even voice control have price tags in the $1500+ range.
By introducing a competitively priced but feature-rich bidet, Kohler aims to accelerate mainstream adoption in a category that has been growing steadily. According to estimates, over 15% of US households today own a bidet or bidet accessory compared to under 5% a decade ago. Industry analysts predict continued double-digit growth in North America, especially amongst premium models.
What Does This Mean for the Smart Home Industry?
Kohler’s launch of an innovative, voice-activated bidet product underscores the continued expansion of smart home technology into every corner of the household – bathrooms included. It also highlights the value companies like Kohler see in integrating popular voice assistants like Alexa and Google into their offerings.
The PureWash E930 may inspire other manufacturers to incorporate greater smart capabilities and voice assistant support in their bathroom products going forward. Additionally, other smart home device makers may look for opportunities to partner with Kohler to provide more connected bathroom experiences leveraging their technologies.
Finally, it provides further validation of the integral role smart speakers from Amazon, Google and others will play in the smart homes of the future. As more household fixtures and appliances integrate voice control support, consumers will increasingly interact with Alexa and Google Assistant for a variety of everyday tasks around the home.
What Next for Smart Bidets and Bathroom Tech?
With its latest voice-controlled bidet, Kohler has raised the bar for integration of smart home technology in bathrooms. We can likely expect other bathroom fixture brands to eventually roll out their own voice assistant-enabled products to stay competitive.
Beyond additional smart bidets, we may see players in the lighting, mirrors, showers and other bathroom product categories incorporating voice support and touchless control in new models.
Kohler itself promises to continue pushing boundaries when it comes to bathroom tech innovation – seemingly aiming for fully automated, personalized bathrooms that can be controlled conversationally and deliver immersive, spa-like experiences right at home for consumers.
So while smart toilets and bidets may have their critics, it appears that bathroom technology is slated to get even smarter – and talking to our devices while on the toilet may soon be the norm!
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
