A real-time monitoring system emerges in an unconventional location in HK, sparks chatter

A recent photo of a “smart public toilet” with real-time monitoring system has sparked online chatter in Hong Kong, with many describing the system as “unnecessary” and “a waste of money”. A netizen of a local community group “AllaboutTsuenWan” shared a snap of a male public toilet based in Tsuen Wan, with a real-time monitoring system indicating available urines and cubicles, as well as the temperature and humidity of the day.

The release of the picture triggered public outcry over social platforms. Social media monitoring company CARMA saw most mentions came from local forum LIHKG, with a post that generated 109 replies. CARMA’s general manager Charles Cheung said that there was a post on the “AllaboutTsuenWan” Facebook page which generated 88 comments and 97 shares (as of 29 Jun), with many criticising the costly system, and considered it “unnecessary”.

“A number of netizens also suggested the government prioritise the environmental hygiene of public toilets over the implementation of such systems,” Cheung added. Meanwhile, media monitoring platform Meltwater recorded a total of 112 mentions over the past few days, with 24% negative sentiments and 13% positive sentiments online.

In a statement to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said that FEHD is cooperating with the EMSD to study the use of the "Government Wide IoT Network" to implement the "Smart Toilet" pilot scheme. Around 10 FEHD public toilets in various districts are equipped with relevant equipment to collect useful information and data, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of cleaning chores and maintenance work. The pilot scheme will be implemented in the third quarter of 2022 for a period of one year.

The application of IoT technology will collect various data on the operation of public toilets through sensors, including the usage of public toilets, environmental parameters (such as temperature, humidity, odor, etc.), consumables (such as liquid soap, toilet paper, toilet seat disinfectant, hand sanitizer) Venom, etc.) usage, operation status of electromechanical equipment (including hand dryers, floor fans, etc.) and user feedback. Each sensor costs about a thousand to thousands of Hong Kong dollars, according to the statement. 

FEHD also said that it will review the effectiveness of various technologies after trial implementation, including analysis of test data, cost-effectiveness, limitations and the compatibility of different technologies, etc., and collect opinions from different stakeholders to consider promoting the application of suitable technologies skills. The FEHD and the EMSD are closely monitoring the performance and effectiveness, and will review and follow up in due course.

The HKSAR government announced in the 2019-20 Budget to allocate more than HK$600 million to upgrade public toilets. The FEHD has updated its website stating that it is committed to studying the application of technology to improve the hygiene and service of public toilets. The FEHD will pilot the "Smart Public Toilet System" at Tsim Sha Tsui East Public Transport Interchange public toilet and the Southorn Centre public toilet in Wanchai from May 2021 to collect information on the usage of public toilets, environmental parameters, usage of consumables and operating status of electrical and mechanical equipment and other daily operation data for reference when reviewing service quality and management effectiveness.

(Photo courtesy: "AllaboutTseunWan " Facebook Group)

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