Piedmont Park’s Robot Bathroom

It’s a better alternative than a port-​a-​potty. But barely. Just do your business and don’t touch any buttons — I swear that door has a mind of its own.

«Dude! There’s an elevator in Piedmont Park! Look!»
«No way, man. That’s a bathroom. For robots.»

Everything I hoped it would be — clean and easy-​to-​use. Very similar to public toilets I encountered in Paris a few years ago.

Being in need of a restroom that would take both the dog And me (leaving him with a stranger was not an option) we were directed toward the «robot bathroom.»
Someone had just walked in before we showed and had a minute to check it out there is «no charge or voices» & tells you outside if it is «in use, free to use or not in use.» So the guy in front us walks out and we walked in there was plenty of room, a push of a button the door closes, another locks it and tissue appears in the same manner cool.
With a wash of your hands and nothing to dry them with your out of there in minutes and not quickly enough as there was no air conditioning so it was hot as blazes in there but hey I will take this over one of those plastic boxes any day.

This is the strangest feature of Piedmont Park. If you have ever wondered what that shiny little metal building is, it’s an air conditioned, completely automated robot bathroom. When I discovered this I thought «Of course, a robot bathroom!»
I most frequently stop here when I’m out running, but sometimes will just shout «ROBOT BATHROOM» at the people outside as I zoom by to show my support.
There are ups and downs. Sometimes the floor will be wet (!) or someone will have left something weird inside. The mirror has sort of a matte finish that makes it hard to see.
Often times, people take their sweet time soaking in the robot bathroom. I know I sure do, which causes short lines to take a long time. Don’t worry though, it will all be ok as soon as that automated Star Wars door closes behind you.

Found out from a friend that the original Robotech series is on Netflix the same day I have my first experience with the Robot Bathroom. Hmm, wouldn’t be surprised if iRobot began to play out in the next few days…
This futuristic experience happened during a potty break while working the Piedmont Summer Arts & Craft festival. I had no patience to look for the restrooms and saw the opportune time to teleport over to the Exeloo Robot Bathroom.
Line wasn’t too long, but the function of bathroom had a few us in line a bit confused and lengthened people’s time going in and out. One guy pulled out some bills thinking that the futuristic typography of the logo called for a charge of $ 1.00 for usage. Another girl just took a bit too long trying to figure out how to close the door.
Upon entering the unit, I was greeted by the omnipresent voice of Exeloo (Imagine Zordon, but without the gassy, floaty head), who introduced me to all the wonderful functions of the bathroom. Everything here is «Touch Free», meaning you just swipe your hand over the señor button and things pop out: toilet paper, toilet seat, water, soap, dryer, etc.
The sink unit was the most impressive as all the functions (soap, water, and dryer) were all placed above the sink so you only needed to move your hands and not the rest of your body. Though if you’re inside for too long, get ready to bust out the robot as your allotted time of 10 minutes could be shortened if they do not detect any motion. BOOO… beep Booop.
Porta potties? So 2000 and late.

You don’t realize how fantastic a robot bathroom is until you’ve lived through a festival season. Weekend after weekend, you learn to hold your breath as you’re forced to succumb to portapotties that have been in the sun for 8 hours and have been used by all walks of life. Trust me when I say that it isn’t fun, especially when you’re on the 7^th or 8^th weekend in a row.
When there’s a festival at Piedmont Park, you’re in luck. The Robot Bathroom will likely have a line, but it’s worth it. The seat is cleaned after each patron. There’s room to move about. It has light and a full length mirror. But best of all? AIR CONDITIONING.
Thank you, Robot Bathroom, for providing a quick 5 minute non-​stinky respite for those of us who need it. You don’t know how nice it is to have a place where you can reapply your lipstick in quiet, cool peace after 6 hours in the blazing sun.

I can’t wait til someone goes in here with diarrhea and can’t leave before it automatically goes Mr. Clean meets Robocop mode and they get a free shower too. In the meantime, this is the perfect solution for me 80 year old bladder stuck in a twenty something old body.

Ya’ll can think I’m crass but I took this off of my Atlanta bucket list. I can safely say that yes the door does go up after 10 minutes. The best place to have a quickie if you know what I mean. (Just teasing: P) Just bring some antibacterial, cause this damn thing was dirty when I used it.

The single blight on my otherwise idyllic day at Piedmont Park: the Robot bathroom.
A line six people deep on a Sunday afternoon meant 20 minutes waiting in line.
The floor was covered in wet mud. The sink, toilet, handrails, and assorted flashing blue buttons were covered in water (or what I’m hoping was water). Though this things may be self cleaning, it is apparently NOT self drying.
With a completely wet floor, there was also no where to hang my purse or bag stuffed with picnic supplies and blanket. Thankfully, I’m good at at balancing.
And, had it not been for the nice lady in front of me who forewarned the lack of toilet paper and offered me some tissues from the box she carried with her (I don’t even want to know what that’s about), the whole experience could have been, uh, rather uncomfortable.
Next time, I’ll just pay $ 2 to get a soda at Willy’s and use the facilities there. At least they have toilet paper. And purse hooks.

This is funny, who ever created this ( Unilocal page) is halarious… it’s a all alone by itself public outdoor restroom, nice little walk from the park tavern…

I was scared to go in here because I have bad luck with machines like this.
The Robot Bathroom is RoboCop’s dream come true. It even tells you that the doors are locked. However, I’ve seen the people who hang out in Midtown afterhours. No amount of sanitizing is EVER gonna make me comfortable with using this toilet (or any in this area).

I swear this thing has a mind of it’s own. I only wanted to have video of this thing in action… unfortunately, I never got any. Stepped inside and the thing clammed up and there was no breaking open that chastity belt. After a minute of wandering around inside praying for the music to start, I was surprised to find an escape hatch in the ceiling. It feels good to know that even if the bathroom is giving you the cold shoulder, should the earth go cow tipping with robo-​potties you know you’ll be able to get out just fine (although a little bit grosser than when you walked in).
Just don’t stick around for over 10 minutes or you’ll be giving the rest of the park a very lovely show…
PS: Whoever thought to attach the soda and snack machine to the bathroom… we can’t be friends.

Oh TechnoToilet™, how you amuse me so.
It’s a big shiney box to pee in. Yes. Of course, there’s only one, because the budget got cut before they could build another one. :p
Also, Play in the Park meets right outside of this chromic alabaster wonder every other Sunday to try and recreate the wonder that was 3^rd grade recess.

I have a serious fear of public restrooms. All I picture is Dateline specials, John Quinones, black lights, and cotton swabs. When thinking about using a public restroom I have horrifying images of the bathroom in my college dorm that was defiled on multiple occasions by an odd girl who liked to shit outside the bowl. I don’t give a shit how fancy this bathroom is and how sanitary it is supposed to be. Every time I see it my body gives an involuntary shudder and I throw up in my mouth a little.

Boy is it cold in there! I wonder why it needs to be so dad gum big. I bet we could have a Unilocal Event in there. We’d just have to exit every 10 minutes so we don’t get sprayed down with sanitizer.
The bathroom talks to you, and you really don’t have to touch a single thing in there. But someday I might just put on a rainsuit and goggles and see what this self-​cleaning thing’s all about.
I like it. I’d pee in here again.

Mind you, you’ll have to given in to your childish sense of awe to properly enjoy this but if you do, this place will blow your mind!
A comforting voice quickly informs you of the time limit imposed upon your bodily functions. The toilet seat wasn’t quite clean when I entered, but I followed immediately after someone else so maybe it didn’t clean itself yet. Either way, the water was chilled just the right amount, the soap smelled great and the music was comforting.
I’m still not exactly sure why it’s there, but definitely a novelty that should be on every light-​hearted resident’s to-​list.

I sooo thought this was going to be a lot cooler than it was. As the days wind down before my relocation to Richmond, I’m trying to cross a few things off my «Must Do in Atlanta» list and this was #4.
I think my experience would have been better had there not been a relish bottle and what could have been a rotten hot dog wrapped in toilet paper below the sink. Regardless, I had to wait about 10 minutes to use it because of the 2 person line and because of the self-​cleaning that didn’t seem to clean much.
Overall I’m glad that it’s there and is definitely a better solution to inner city restrooms than we currently have available. Next time hopefully it will be a little cleaner.

The only thing this needs is a disco ball. Then the bathroom party could really start.
Finally got to try the infamous toilet (notice that its a singular toilet). .. of course after waiting in the just as infamous line for the toilet. I must say, since I’d heard so much about it before, it was kinda like knowing the ending of the movie before watching it.
But I needed to see for myself (um, and I really had to pee, too.), and the dear toilet didn’t disappoint.
Most entertaining features:
— Music while you do what you’ve gotta do on the ‘porcelain bowl’ (.. and I say ‘porcelain’ only for effect.. since this bad boy’s made out of steel or titanium or some craziness).
— Ten minute time limit. .. so if you’ve got business to do that takes over 10 minutes, I suggest you go elsewhere, unless you want the world to see you with your pants down, as the automatic doors open.
Most needed features:
— So, toilet, if you’re going to go all fancy with the motion detector, no touch hand washing station, please don’t make me touch the button to exit the door.. . I envision some sort of hand sensor or foot pedal (for those of us that are mildly flexible, you can always karate kick and push the button with your foot, though.)
— A small skylight would be a pleasant addition too. That and the disco ball.

I have seen the future and the future is filled with robot bathrooms. You’ve seen the green little building at the corner of Charles Allen and 10^th St. If it’s sunny, there’s a line of people, some curious gawkers, others dancing the always recognizable pee-​pee dance. What kind of E-​Ticket curiosity could lead to such a line? Are they queuing up for Hannah Montana tickets? Perhaps a Disneyesque ride? My friends, they’re lining up to see the frakin’ robot bathroom.
The ominous silver door slides open, Star Trek-​style, to reveal a high-​tech room where touching surfaces is pared down to a minimum. Of course, I did notice the signs were all in braille which found me pitying the poor blind guy who’s got to feel his way around the walls of a public bathroom. Nevertheless, the door slides open where you are greeted with a gentle, but prodding metallic voice commanding you to press the blue button and shut the door. You have 20 seconds to comply.
Once the door is closed, the disembodied robot bathroom voice informs you that you have ten minutes to do your business. Programmed as such, no loitering or heroin fixes here. No sex either, but only because I wouldn’t know what to do with the other eight minutes.
Blue buttons abound within this iron giant. Press this for toilet paper. Press this for paper towels. Press this to find Sarah Connor. The strains of Burt Bacharach’s «What the World Needs Now» (no lie) float through the air as you face the stainless steel Fiesta Bowl. Similarly, the sink is a stainless steel indentation in the wall that selectively spurts out soap, water and hot air, depending on your hand placement. The toilet flushes either when you start washing your hands or when the door opens to let you out. Yes, depending on when the toilet flushes, the line outside will know if you washed your hands, so wash those filthy things, Skippy. We know where they’ve been.
Press the blue button to let yourself out. Make sure to stand facing the door when it slides open and ask the crowd outside, «Excuse me, is this the sixth floor?» They love that, especially the guy whose been waiting for 15 minutes doing the pee-​pee dance two people back.
Every few visitors or so, the door will stay shut for an extended period of time (a few minutes) while the bathroom (or at least the toilet) cleans itself. I think that’s what was happening at least. It was either doing that, or it was plotting the destruction of the human race. Robots are like that, you know.
So flying cars and jet packs? Not yet. Moon bases and time travel? Not quite. But the future of robot bathroom technology is right here in Piedmont Park. And it is beautiful.
End of line.