The bathroom is no longer just a functional space; it has evolved into a sanctuary for relaxation, rejuvenation, and self-care.
Automated oasis
Recent technological advancements have revolutionised consumers’ lifestyles, leading them to seek products that add value through technology to their modern way of living, including bathrooms. The emergence of ‘smart bathrooms’ has become a common feature in today’s homes, providing customers with a wide range of options to create their personalised, tech-enhanced oasis that suits their preferences.
“Currently smart technology is present throughout our homes, from operating lights or music with our phones and AI assistants. Smart devices are becoming must-haves for today’s connected consumer, and the bathroom is just an addition as smart toilets occupy less space and fit seamlessly in today’s lifestyle.” Sandeep Abraham, President – Sales, Cera Sanitaryware Limited.
With smart toilets featuring automated lid opening, touchless flushing, and personalised bidet functions, one now enjoys a more hygienic and convenient bathroom experience. The digital shower system allows you to set the perfect water temperature and flow through a user-friendly interface, and even preheat the shower remotely using a mobile app. The connected mirror is a game-changer, with built-in LED lighting, anti-fog capabilities, and helpful information display like the weather and notifications. Integrating the bathroom into the IOT (Internet of Things) enables voice commands for faucets and other appliances, promoting energy efficiency and scaling down water wastage. The data monitoring feature also helps analyse water and energy usage, contributing to more sustainable living.
“The integration of smart technology has revolutionised the way we immerse ourselves in our bathrooms, elevating it to new levels of experience, comfort, and efficiency.” Mr. Gaurav Malhotra, Managing Director, Hansgrohe India.
Beyond basic
GROHE has embraced the power of smart technology to revolutionise how customers experience their bathrooms with the GROHE Sensia Arena smart toilet. Some of its key features include personalised cleansing and odour extraction. The toilet offers adjustable water temperature, spray intensity, and position for cleansing, providing a tailored experience for each user. There is also warm air drying, which means, after cleansing, the toilet can gently dry the user with warm air, eliminating the need for toilet paper. The Sensia Arena is equipped with a built-in odour extraction system to keep the bathroom fresh and pleasant.
“Customisation and personalisation are at the heart of our smart future. With the digital shower systems, you can easily create and save individual preferences for water temperature and flow, and even set your favourite playlist, ensuring a truly personalised and rejuvenating showering experience.” Mr. Bobby Joseph, Leader LWT India & Subcontinent, GROHE & American Standard
Parallelly, Cera’s Senator Veneve Luxury Smart Toilet features an oscillating and pulsating wash technology, with a deodoriser, self-cleaning nozzle, and intelligent open and close mechanism making the smart toilet an inevitable addition to new bathrooms. Roca India’s Supraglaze Coating is a feature that protects users from harmful pathogens on a toilet seat. Unlike commonly used materials, it is not a residue but a glazing layer that maximises hygiene. The hydrophilic surface is not just anti-bacterial but also anti-microbial which guarantees protection from harmful viruses now seamlessly implemented in their new range of products in the Ona collection.
Hindware’s Self Cleaning Easy Clean countertop wash basin is smartly designed with a stain-resistant surface, effectively repelling dirt and automatically washing the basin after every use. Its intelligent design guarantees efficient water usage without compromising performance, setting a new standard for smart and hygienic bathroom fixtures.
Another innovative product by Hansgrohe is RainTunes, where water, video, light, sound, and fragrance combine to create an all-embracing sensory rush. Just choose the shower scenario that emotionally appeals to you the most at the moment. With the accompanying smartphone app, one can create and save individual shower scenarios by adjusting water temperature, flow patterns, music, and lighting. Whether one desires an energising shower to start their day or a relaxing ambience to wind down, RainTunes allows for customisation of shower experience according to mood and preferences.
Ming Mirror by Kohler is inspired by the full moon and looks equally beautiful and soothing. Beyond its aesthetic value, it is packed with various features like a built-in magnifying mirror to facilitate the makeup process. It automatically lights up when its proximity sensor detects your presence. You have the option of personalising its brightness, colour and temperature according to your preferences. To solve the problem of fogging, it has an electric heating and a defogging feature which makes it a perfect addition to any bathroom.
VitrA’s commitment to creating modern and luxurious bathroom spaces is evident in its Root faucet collection, which comes in various forms and sizes to complement any bathroom design. The touchless faucets are ideal for public areas, reducing contamination risks, and saving water by stopping flow when not in use. Root features thermostatic bathroom mixers that maintain a constant water temperature and prioritise safety by disconnecting hot water when the cold supply is cut off. With options for mains or battery operation and waterproof cables, Root faucets offer a combination of safety and convenience for users.
Exceptional aesthetics
“Today, consumers want their homes and bathrooms to reflect their tastes and are increasingly looking for products that blend effortlessly with the overall aesthetics of their living spaces.” Mr. Sudhanshu Pokhriyal, CEO Bath and Tiles, Hindware Limited
The extensive range of fixtures and products available encompass a wide variety of styles, finishes, and designs, allowing them to seamlessly integrate into any home decor. Whether the home embraces modern, contemporary, traditional, or eclectic aesthetics, these brands offer a versatile selection of products that complement and enhance the overall look and feel of most bathroom spaces.
From sleek and minimalist designs to more ornate and classic options, GROHE’s products are thoughtfully crafted to cater to the diverse tastes and preferences of homeowners, ensuring that they harmoniously blend with any interior style while delivering exceptional performance and functionality. Kohler’s innovative product line allows maximum personalisation of a bathroom and its practicality to add more comfort, luxury, and entertainment to everyday life. Whereas VitrA collaborates with renowned designers and architects to create exclusive collections that cater to different tastes and trends, further expanding their product range and ensuring that homeowners can find the perfect fit for their homes.
Roca has worked with some of the biggest names in product design like Antonio Bullo and David Chipperfield. Their Ohtake basins collection was designed by the renowned Brazilian architect Ruy Ohtake. Such collaborations with designers ensure that the final products align with the emerging interior bathroom decor concepts and ideas that are floating in the global trend space.
Inevitable AI integration
With the advancement in technologies, we can anticipate even more personalised and immersive experiences in the bath space.
“Future bathroom products are likely to be more seamlessly integrated with overall smart home systems. There will be greater emphasis on sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly materials and manufacturing methods, with advanced water conservation features becoming a top priority.” Mr. Anand Asinkar, India Design Studio Head, Kohler
Hindware predicts that future innovations in bathroom products will be shaped by market dynamics, technological advancements, and consumer preferences, as they collectively set the direction for the industry.
Based on the current trends in the bath space, Hansgrohe envisions a future of continuous innovation in the realm of bathroom products that are further personalised and customised to meet individual preferences. For the same, it has developed a Green Vision: Beyond Water, which goes far beyond technological innovation and the sustainability triad of “reduce, reuse, and recycle.” It’s about “Rethink(ing) and questioning our daily routines in the bathroom.
In the future, smart and AI integration in bathroom products is likely to advance significantly, bringing unprecedented convenience and personalisation to users.
“VitrA imagines AI-powered sensors may learn and adapt to individual needs in real-time, optimising water flow, temperature, and lighting based on usage patterns and preferences.” Mr. Tirthankar Sarkar, Senior Country Manager, VitrA Bathrooms India
This level of sophistication will improve comfort, energy efficiency, and water conservation, transforming the bathroom experience into a personalised and seamless experience for each user.
Next in the smart store
The bathroom is the room where we are most in touch with our bodies and it offers discreet opportunities for analysing our health.
“So as time goes by, technology will take over the bathrooms and it will also be monitoring our daily health. And Roca is moving towards it by developing health monitoring concepts that are essential for our ageing society.” Mr. K E Ranganathan, Managing Director, Roca India (RBPPL)
For example, a device that can be installed in a shower toilet seat and optically scans solid and liquid excretions, reporting any abnormalities or a ceiling-mounted luminaire that activates an alarm when someone falls in the bathroom – without this being recorded by a camera. Another concept involves smart mirrors: mirrors that monitor vital signs and can conduct detailed skin analyses. Incorporated into the IOT system, Roca Connect, these can be employed both in private homes but also in all areas of healthcare.
Smart bathrooms present a future that is not far away – where convenience, sustainability and personal health are seamlessly integrated into our daily routines.
Fact file:
Mr Sandeep Abraham, President – Sales, Cera Sanitaryware Limited
Mr Bobby Joseph, Leader LWT India & Subcontinent, GROHE & American Standard
Mr Gaurav Malhotra, Managing Director, Hansgrohe India
Mr Sudhanshu Pokhriyal, CEO Bath and Tiles, Hindware Limited
Mr Anand Asinkar, India Design Studio Head, Kohler
Mr K E Ranganathan, Managing Director, Roca India (RBPPL)
Mr Tirthankar Sarkar, Senior Country Manager, VitrA Bathrooms India