Take a Leap: National toilet system goes online

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The toilet revolution is a national program that's taken big leaps in the last six months. Authorities are now turning to new tech such as big data and facial recognition to improve the experience for people answering nature's call. Sun Ye reports from Beijing.

In this day and age, there is room for improvement, even for the previously unspeakable public toilets.

SUN YE BEIJING "I never thought I'd report on technology on this front, but here it is, an application that will help me find the nearest powder room within seconds and get me tissues with just a blink of the eye."

That's facial recognition put to use so that tissue paper is not overused. There are detectors to make sure the place smells fine. Rooms parents and children can use at the same time. And in time, such model toilets will pop up and replace all old, un-savory ones across the country. A national system that monitors the condition of public toilets is now online.

KUANG SHIHUAN NATIONAL TOILET CLOUD PLATFORM "This is the first time we're collecting information for the country's public toilets on this scale. The information, from where the toilets are to how well they function, will not only help people look for one when they need it. It will also help those who manage them, better tend and mend the facilities."

For example, big data from the use of public toilets show women need at least 50 percent more stalls than men. And that's become a NEW standard for public toilet design.

YANG HONGYI, SANITATION FACILITY DIRECTOR CHINESE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN-RURAL DEVELOPMENT "We are also promoting 'the third toilets', asking places that have extra room to share toilet spaces when the area needs it. And for all the things we do in the 'toilet revolution', we want to add a human touch to the entire process. It's a small thing that means a lot for people's well-being."

USER BEIJING "The new toilet is good. I've been here a few times. It's clean, it's convenient. It's almost as good as my private one at home."

Apparently good enough that she's willing to speak up. SY, CGTN, BJ.