Innovation of the week: An airplane bathroom that cleans itself
And using only UV light!
Grossed out by germs in airplane bathrooms? Boeing hears you, said Mariella Moon at Engadget. The aeronautics giant has developed a prototype airplane lavatory that cleans itself after every use. When someone leaves the loo, the room is blasted with ultraviolet light, killing 99.9 percent of the germs inside. "It only takes three seconds to finish the whole process." To keep things as hygienic as possible, nearly all of the features are hands-free, with sensor-activated toilet covers, faucets, and trash receptacles.
A vacuum vent on the floor is also being developed to suck up spills and accidents. Killing germs doesn't just keep the bathroom "from smelling like a truck-stop urinal"; it can also help airlines save on maintenance costs. Self-cleaning loos won't make flying completely germ-free, however: Tests have shown the dirtiest part of an airplane cabin is actually the tray table.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Trump team aims to shut consumer finance watchdog
Speed Read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was established after the 2008 financial crisis to investigate corporate fraud and protect consumers
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - February 10, 2025
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - out of the right field, he sells sea scams, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Eco-friendly luxury in Sardinia
The Week Recommends Powered entirely by renewable energy, these beautiful beachfront hotels won't cost the Earth
By Vicki Power Published