Hands-free public toilet network app launches in San Francisco

  • 29/07/2018
New loos are appearing around the city accompanied by a keypad that can only be unlocked by customers with a new app.
New loos are appearing around the city accompanied by a keypad that can only be unlocked by customers with a new app. Photo credit: iStock

Finding a bathroom in a crowded city is never easy, but a San Francisco company may have a solution.

New loos are appearing around the city accompanied by a keypad that can only be unlocked by customers with a new app.

"San Francisco is underserved when it comes to public restrooms, and the conditions of those public restrooms are not very good" said Good2Go's Pete Gualfetti.

The startup is partnering with San Francisco businesses to build its own clean public bathroom network that you can track through an app.

Everything is hands-free, from opening the door to flushing the toilet. It will even notify you when the toilet becomes available.

"Instead of waiting in line your phone will wait in line for you, and you can continue your meeting."

Local business owner Ivor Bradley says they've always allowed everyone to use their bathroom. Mr Bradley, who manages The Creamery where Good2Go first launched, says the app has brought people in who are curious about the convenient commode.

"We've seen definitely an increase in foot traffic over the last year - people curious about the bathroom or have downloaded the app and come to use it on a regular basis."

All restrooms on the app's network are available to any gender and each has a baby-changing station.

The plan is for Good2Go to move to a subscription based model charging US$2.99 (NZD$4.40) a day, US$14.99 (NZ$2.10) a week or US$19.99 (NZ$29.47) a month.

The question is: will customers want to pay so they no longer have to look for a lavatory?

CBS News / Newshub.