In a resounding success for sustainability advocates and bathroom designers everywhere, the Japanese company Toto has recently completed a 1,400 kilometer journey across Japan on a motorbike with a toilet for a seat. According to the National Post, the bike is powered by human sewage that has been broken down and fermented to sustain the trip.
While at first glance this may seem rather unsettling, it is a visual interpretation of the many untapped fuel sources that are available. Admittedly, most countries aren't going to go for a waste-powered infrastructure, but it certainly is an eco-friendly way to promote better alternatives.
"Although the seat of the bike is indeed a toilet, it is not for actual use. The fuel is eco-friendly biogas, stored in the tanks on the back" company spokesman Kenji Fujita, told the news source. "It's a surprisingly nice way to travel."
The motorbike can reach speeds up to 70 km an hour, and is one of the most successful biofuel experiments in recent memory. The epic journey is a public relations coup for Toto, and it shows just how important alternative source of energy will be in the near future.
Labels: Toilets and Bidets