Robotic toilet from China drives itself to the bed and cleans itself after use. It costs as much as a used car

At the Shanghai Senior Care Expo, a gadget appeared that looks like a prop from a sci-fi movie. The Xiaoban robotic toilet from the Yueban brand is designed to solve one of the most sensitive moments in caring for incapacitated people – the trip to the toilet. Instead of the person having to seek help themselves, this time it comes directly to them.

A toilet that comes to you

The manufacturer summarizes the entire idea in one sentence: until now, it was “person seeks toilet,” but now it should be “toilet seeks person.” For someone who has difficulty moving after an injury or in old age, the trip to the toilet is one of the most challenging and least dignified situations of the day. Xiaoban can therefore drive itself to the bed when called – you summon it with a remote control or voice command, which, according to the manufacturer, works even without an internet connection.

Utilizes sensors and artificial intelligence

To safely navigate an apartment, the machine relies on similar technology to robotic vacuum cleaners. According to the Chinese server ITHome, Xiaoban has its own AI chip and a system of sensors – five laser sensors, one LiDAR, eight anti-fall sensors for stairs, and one ultrasonic sensor. This reportedly allows it to map its surroundings, plan routes, and autonomously avoid obstacles. Foreign media also mention a built-in toilet database, so the toilet should be able to target a classic toilet bowl in a household without the need for structural modifications.

Robotic toilet from China drives itself to the bed and cleans itself after use. It costs as much as a used car Adam Kurfürst News Adam Kurfürst News

Washes, dries, and cleans itself

The visit itself is designed to be as dignified as possible. According to the manufacturer, the toilet offers warm water rinsing and warm air drying, features known from smart toilets and bidets. Foam, seals, and a carbon filter take care of odors. But the most interesting part is what comes next: Xiaoban returns to its docking station, where a built-in shredder grinds waste, it flushes itself (described as “360° swirling cleaning”), disinfects itself with UV light, refills water, and recharges its battery. Neither the caregiver nor the user should come into contact with anything unpleasant.

Who it’s for and how much it costs

The target group includes seniors, people with limited mobility, and assisted living facilities. Operation is designed to be as simple as possible – large buttons, voice commands, and a dedicated help button directly on the armrest. However, it’s not cheap: in China, Xiaoban costs 28,999 yuan, which is approximately 91,000 CZK when converted. It’s not entirely likely that the product will reach our market anytime soon, but in the future, it could be a step in the right direction.

Would you entrust the care of a loved one to a robotic toilet?

Sources: The Verge, Dexerto, ITHome