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Custom Clean Digital shower settings make showering a smart decision. Voice-activated controls are just around the corner  Image courtesy Ceramic Tiles of Italy Gone are the days of fumbling with the faucet for the perfect temperature. Today's technology opens the floodgates to more than just the thermostat. From water pressure to lighting and sound, custom-made showers are making waves in the way we bathe. With products that can memorize personal settings, like the appropriately named RainBrain, a smart shower system from European company Hansgrohe, the same innovative spirit that brought us shampoo and conditioner in one once again emerges on the bathroom scene. But let's be clear, this movement in personal hygiene has nothing to do with increasing efficiency. This trend does to bathing what Apple did to the music industry with the iPod - combine high-end technology with everyday functionality. The average bather is now master commander with the touch of a button. A fixture on the bathroom scene, Kohler too has responded to the digital demand. The now upgraded DTV II water delivery system allows bathers to add steam, lighting and audio to their morning routine. "The DTV II offers the balance between having enough functions to choose from without complicating instructions to use," says Brian Barnett, product manager of the performance showering line. The DTV II also allows for a la carte upgrades. "The system uses one interface for all its features. You can mix and match depending on your needs and budget," he says. It's a good option to have since most of these high-end shower systems can range anywhere from $3,000 to $9,000. Perhaps the most appealing feature of the digital shower system is the ability to save personal settings. Program the perfect wake-up, alternating water flow between overhead and body spray. Choose bright lights to welcome the day or go dim for slow starters. Get a head start with a sneak peak of traffic and weather when you hook up the audio connection to your television, or just opt to sing your favorite tunes alongside your iPod or MP3 player.  Digital chic: New ultra-customizable, and waterproof, digital shower control docks blend seamlessly in the modern bathroom. Image courtesy Hansgrohe The drive behind this push for touchscreen, computerized shower systems remains to be determined. For Lars Christensen, senior product manager of Hansgrohe, "It's the person that buys the new laptop and television when they first come out - the person who wants everything new, first." But Scott Sharitz, vice president of engineering/product development for ThermaSol, observes a different crowd converting to high-end comfort. "Parents are knocking out walls when their kids go off to college. They now have the time to reward themselves with high-end spa treatments in their own home." According to Sharitz, ThermaSol's Serenity Light and Music System also offers health benefits. "These showers help different body ailments too. Just getting to the doctor can be a stressful experience. People can now choose homeopathic remedies like steam and light therapy without having to leave their master bathroom," he says. "Once people get over that they are not bringing electronics into the shower, just the control of them, they start to understand the installation process more," says Barnett. All the media pieces go behind the walls and the DTV II's cords extend upwards of 25 to 30 feet from the shower unit, allowing for more flexibility with installation. Make sure to have an electrician and a plumber for this digital upgrade. And Barnett adds while most homes operate with a 50 - 80 gallon water heater, he recommends using an 80 - 100 gallon tank with the DTV II. Look for Hansgrohe's RainBrain in the competitive mix when it arrives stateside in 2010. Christensen notes that this is more than a phase, "We're expanding to develop a faucet line to match our new shower systems." Sharitz also sees more developments in customization - his ThermoSol team envisions even more user-friendly capabilities to existing systems. "I expect to see voice-activated control systems in the future." Imagine starting the shower by shouting from your bedroom. You might think twice before hitting the snooze button. Lathering up has never sounded more luxurious. |
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