In March of 2019, CE Pro covered a neat little invention from Kohler called the Numi 2.0 Intelligent Toilet. While not publicly available at the time, the device had a hefty blend of unique features, including colored lighting for nighttime trips, music streaming, hands-free operation, and programmable routines. Well, what was once a twinkle in the eyes of any integrator looking to bulk up their smart bathroom offerings is here.

It also has Alexa in it. That’s nothing new–it was there in the original showcase–but it still might be worth mentioning given the current perception of consumer-grade voice assistants. At the very least, the Alexa integration does provide an added bit of accessibility through voice control in a product that is already touting some serious wellness credentials for the home.

The Numi 2.0 runs for about $11,500 MSRP, and as you might expect for a product that looks to be competing with the likes of Toto, the toilet comes with a built-in bidet. It also comes with UV lights, temperature settings, positioning, and pressure settings for cleaning and controlling said bidet. It even has an auto-cleaning and deodorizing bowl to keep everything safe and sanitary in the bathroom.

On top of that, the toilet comes with a heated seat and base to keep everything comfortable, especially during the winter months.

All of this is controlled and programmed through the handheld remote, while lighting and sound duties are handled by the Kohler Konnect app. Given the wide range of customizability that this product features, users (or professionals) can program preset profiles, allowing the device to dial into the needs of just about everyone in the household. The remote can also be placed on the wall for easy access while seated.

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Could the Numi 2.0 Help Integrators Bridge the Gap into the Smart Bathroom?

Kohler hasn’t stated how its Konnect app will play into the Matter ecosystem yet, so for now, it seems, some creativity with Alexa is all integrators have with connecting the toilet into a greater ecosystem. However, even on its own, the toilet provides many salient product features that homeowners are looking for in creating more luxurious, spa-like bathrooms.

Long a European and east-Asian phenomenon, bidets have been exploding in popularity within the US, with this year’s KBIS showcasing just how far the product category has infiltrated the design of bathrooms. Additionally, the music streaming functionality is not limited to when someone is seated on the toilet, giving integrators a one-two punch for delivering audio into a bathroom without an intensive retrofit if no infrastructure happens to be in place.

Integrators also have the benefit of support from Kohler, which, as of this year, has been working cooperatively with CEDIA to open more and more opportunities for integrators in kitchen and bathroom installations. Not only that, but Kohler has been releasing more and more integrator-focused products, like its smart water systems to help dealers build a strong portfolio for kitchen and bathroom installations.

While it’s certainly a big-ticket item, the Numi 2.0 certainly seems like it’s capable of making a big statement in the bathroom. Who knows? Samsung’s The Wall, blew up earlier this year despite a seemingly prohibitive price tag. At the very least, the Numi is now directly available to distributors, so it’s there for those interested.

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