About this project
How much thought have you put into the toilet you use every day?
If you’re taller or shorter than average, you’ve probably considered its size and functionality – after all, the standard toilet wasn’t designed with your needs in mind. Accessibility issues are also common in the modern bathroom, meaning you’ve likely had concerns if you have a disability too. And then there are the people with bowel issues, many of whom research would say have Western toilet design to blame for their problems.
The modern toilet clearly doesn’t line up with everybody’s bathroom needs. A design evolution is required, and the EVO221promises exactly that. It’s a new type of toilet design that’s accessible, adjustable and altogether revolutionary.
An adjustable height means it’s good for everyone. A starting height of just eight inches makes it perfect for kids and ideal for adults suffering with bowel problems. But it also rises up to a maximum of 21 inches, promising to make bathroom visits easier whether you’re short, tall or disabled.
KEY FUNCTIONALITY
The EVO221 promises more than just adjustability, though. Incorporating technologies used by NASA, Formula One and the aviation industry, it’s truly the next evolution in toilet design, with state-of-the-art design features. Made of hard plastic instead of porcelain or ceramic, it’s designed to be more hygienic than a traditional toilet, with self-cleaning functionality that includes UV lights that kill any pathogens on the toilet seat when you flush.
Other unique features include:
- A bottom spray/bidet that’s activated at the touch of a button, spraying warm water to ensure everything is clean.
- Raise-and-tilt functionality designed to make getting up and down easier if you have accessibility issues – perfect, as well, for healthcare workers and family members assisting those with health issues and disabilities.
- A retractable toilet seat that’s accessible at the press of a button – and is accessed as quickly as lifting or lowering your current toilet seat.
- The signature Maelstrom flush system, designed to save water by relying almost exclusively on a vacuum pull system to flush waste down.
- An odor vacuum system that evacuates unpleasant scents right at the source.
- Capacity to withstand weights of up to 600 to 1,000 pounds.
Not only that, but the EVO221 will also be Bluetooth capable. Users will be able to monitor their usage through their Wi-Fi access, and adjust the toilet’s height and built-in lighting before they even walk into the bathroom!
Does your current toilet do that?
KICKSTARTER REWARDS
Some of our unique rewards include:
Pledge CA$500 and get inspired. Find out why EVO221 CEO Ivan Gochko quit law school to pursue the less traveled path that led to EVO221. It’s a good story, and promises to offer motivation to anyone who regrets a decision they may have made in the past. Recipients of this reward will also receive a 30x40 canvas of the EVO221 wireframe.
Pledge CA$600 and get illuminated. Designed to transform at night when exposed to ultraviolet light, the Chameleon Canvas is a unique showpiece. Receive one of these special canvases of the EVO221 wireframe, complete with three sets of lights, controllable – just like the EVO221 itself – through a phone app. Recipients of this reward will also receive a 15-minute Skype or Viber chat with our CEO.
Pledge CA$2,000 and get mapped. Put CEO Ivan Gochko’s artistic skills to work by requesting a 4x4 map of your country of choice, in whichever color palette you prefer. Mounted on one-inch MDF, the map will be specially painted under UV illumination and come complete with lighting designed to show it off. Recipients of this reward will also receive a 30x40 Chameleon Canvas of the EVO221 wireframe.
Pledge CA$8,000 and get personalized. Receive a personalized 8x4 map of your country, state or province of choice. Mounted on one-inch MDF, this map will appear colorful during the day but will light up under UV light at night, illuminating the cities, symbols or words of your choice. It will come signed by the artist himself – EVO221’s CEO Ivan Gochko – who will also provide a personalized note.
Currently the team is in the process of making the prototype, but we need your help. Germany is the country of choice where the prototype will be made, at the moment we have a few facilities that we have selected to produce the patented frame, fins, and the bowl. We selected Germany simply because they have the technology at a much lower rate to build our prototype. Although the project is moving forward, it is still a way to go, as there are many parts that will need to be made that are a bit more labour intensive, and require us to spend some time fitting, and making sure the system works in compliances to the rules of ULC. Once our Kickstarter campaign is sucessful we should have a working prototype by end of March of 2017.
Risks and challenges
Reinventing the toilet is a large undertaking, but we understand the challenges ahead and have a solid plan that includes the following steps:
1. Finding the right manufacturers to accommodate our design and bring each of its components to realization. At the moment, we have narrowed this down to three facilities in Germany that will be able to manufacture over 70 percent of the parts required.
2. Striking deals for the rest of the parts and mechanisms we require. These parts already exist and we would need to negotiate with the companies that manufacture them, including Philips in Germany and Dyson in the US. As a backup, we have also sourced substitute parts that will work if these companies aren't receptive.
3. Improving our patented fins to ensure they are able to withstand a great amount of weight while in motion, so that they remain durable throughout a lifetime of EVO221 use.
4. Testing the Maelstrom flush system. Based on aviation-patented technology, it will be tested within a prototype. A special area of concern includes the size of the compressor – if too large of a compressor is required, a new one must be designed and built to facilitate our specifications. We will also ensure our control valves can open simultaneously, one electronically and one through water pressure. This will be resolved with testing and adjusting for the right response, to create a quiet and efficient flush.
5. Passing all tests by the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) and CSA Group. These independent testing laboratories will ensure our product adheres to all plumbing codes and is safe for everyday usage. While an important step, our team – which includes individuals with plumbing backgrounds and a familiarity with the codes in each jurisdiction – will address any safety, code or efficiency concerns long before this, during the patent process.
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