| | | | | | | Presented By Capital One | | | | Axios What's Next | | By Jennifer A. Kingson, Alex Fitzpatrick and Joann Muller · Dec 09, 2022 | | Who wouldn't love to see some improvement in the public toilet space? Happily, those portable plastic stalls are getting a run for their money, as Jennifer reports today. Today's newsletter is 1,119 words ... 4 minutes. | | | | | | 1 big thing: Portable lavatories go upscale |  | | | The Portal is an outdoor toilet that is meant to provide a pleasant — and sustainable — experience. Photo courtesy of Jupe. | | | | Portable toilets with bluetooth stereo systems, hot and cold running water, LED lighting, hand sanitizer, air conditioning and plush rolls of paper are starting to pop up across the country, to the surprise (and relief) of outdoor bathroom-seekers, Jennifer A. Kingson reports. Why it matters: The COVID-19 pandemic raised our hygiene standards and expectations — and highlighted the critical shortage of public restrooms in the U.S., particularly in cities. Driving the news: A slew of cutely-named startups has entered the luxury portable-potty business, responding both to consumer demand for nicer options and the alarming closure of reliable pit stops (in restaurants, gas stations, etc.) during the pandemic. - A company called Jupe is building an outdoor toilet called the Portal that it bills as both a "work of art" and (eventually) a way to transform outdoor waste into fertilizer.
- The Posh Privy, which rents out over-the-top bathroom trailers for events in California wine country, recently acquired Fancy Flush to satisfy growing demand.
- D.C-based startup Throne is aiming to join Portland Loo in serving the municipal and corporate markets, as cities and companies seek cleaner and more spacious options.
The interior of a portable toilet from Throne. Photo courtesy of Throne Labs. Where it stands (or sits): Manufacturers of luxury portable toilets are backed up with orders until 2024. - Demand is coming from many fronts, from wedding and event planners seeking luxury trailers to social service agencies hoping to serve people experiencing homelessness.
- "Since the pandemic, toilet standards have increased," P.J. Blignault, managing director of a toilet rental and manufacturing company called EcoLoo, tells Axios. "People want a hand wash basin, and hygiene is more of an issue now than it used to be."
- His units are solar-powered and feature air freshener, bamboo toilet paper and hand towels.
What's new: Smart technology is just starting to hit the portable bathroom industry. - In some units, sensors indicate when a loo needs cleaning, and touchless doors unlock through a cellphone app, QR code or tap card.
- These features "create accountability for users," whose privileges could be revoked if they cause damage or a mess, says Jessica Heinzelman, co-founder and COO of Throne Labs.
- Throne's units, which are ADA compliant and completely touchless, are meant to be integrated with "smart" technology in cities, parks, transit hubs and elsewhere.
What's next: "We are envisioning these as building a network of publicly accessible Thrones across cities," Heinzelman tells Axios. - "We want this to feel like a really nice bathroom that you are excited to use — we want people to be looking for Thrones."
Share this story. |     | | | | | | 2. It's not your imagination: Winters are getting warmer |  | | | Image courtesy of Climate Central. | | | | Average winter temperatures are 3.3°F warmer today than in the 1970s, according to nonprofit research and journalism organization Climate Central, Monica Eng writes for Axios Chicago. Why it matters: It's ominous news for our environment. As Climate Central put it, "Warming winters affect public health, water supplies, agriculture, and recreation." Driving the news: Every season is warmer today than in 1970, with average winter temperatures increasing the most, Climate Central found. - Since 1970, winters have warmed in 97% of U.S. locales.
- About 80% of locations now have at least seven more winter days above normal than in 1970.
The health angle: Seasonal warming means spring and fall allergies are harsher and last on average 13 days longer. ❄️🎄And if you're hoping for a white Christmas, it seems snowfall is moving further away from the December holidays. | | | | | | | | 3. Meet Miroki, hospital worker of the future |  | | | A robot-on-wheels named Miroki will be on display at CES next month. Photo coutesy of Enchanted Tools. | | | | A French company called Enchanted Tools has released the prototype of Miroki, a robot designed for hospital work with a whimsical personality drawn from French anime movies, Jennifer writes. - Miroki can carry food trays and fetch glasses of water, freeing hospital and nursing home staff to focus on patient care.
- It also has "animal-like characteristics with interactive expressions that work in real-time," the company says.
- "We need to relieve workers of back-breaking logistical tasks and allow them to focus on human relations," Enchanted Tools said in a press release.
What they're saying: As robots make their way into more aspects of our lives, they need to delight rather than repel us, says Jérôme Monceaux, CEO of Enchanted Tools. - At 3.3 feet and 62 pounds, Miroki is an elf-like addition to Monceaux's stable of humanoid robots designed to assist the elderly, which include Pepper and Nao.
| | | | | | | | A message from Capital One | | Helping more than 1,000 families access reliable internet | | |  | | | | Capital One is on a mission to close the digital divide in America. An example: Capital One provides free broadband internet and laptops or tablets to residents in affordable housing properties it helped finance — from Los Angeles to Houma, Louisiana. Learn more about this initiative. | | | | | | 4. Now at Starbucks: Frappuccino and NFTs |  | | | Starbucks Odyssey is now available for select Starbucks Rewards members and employees. Photo: Horacio Villalobos#Corbis/Getty Images | | | | Starbucks entered the world of NFTs with the beta launch of the web3-enabled extension of its loyalty program, Axios' Kelly Tyko reports. Driving the news: Despite the ongoing crypto winter, the coffee giant announced it rolled out Starbucks Odyssey Thursday to a "small group" of rewards members and employees who joined the waitlist. - Select members were scheduled to receive emails Thursday with information on how to sign up, Starbucks told Axios.
How it works: Select Starbucks Rewards members, who joined the waitlist that opened in September, got the first invites to sign up for the program Thursday. - They have to follow the steps to join the program within three days, Starbucks told Axios.
- Participants will be rewarded for completing Journeys, which Starbucks described as "a series of entertaining, interactive activities to earn collectible 'Journey Stamps' (NFTs)."
- They will also earn "Odyssey Points that will unlock access to exciting new benefits and experiences."
What's next: Limited-edition stamps will soon be available for purchase with a credit card for select participants through a marketplace within the Starbucks Odyssey web app experience. - Beginning in January, Starbucks will offer monthly invitations to a wider group of members on the waitlist.
Share this story. | | | | | | | | 5. Over-the-top cruise ship amusements |  | | | Guests ride the Robotron, a robotic amusement ride, on board MSC Seascape docked in New York City. Photo: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for MSC Cruises. | | | | When it comes to amusement park rides, cruise lines are playing a game of one-upsmanship, Jennifer writes. Why it matters: The pandemic left the cruise industry for dead, but lately it has come roaring back, thanks in part to an aggressive PR campaign and new attractions. - The latest thrill is the Robotron, a clawlike people-shaker that will ply the waters of the Caribbean aboard the MSC Seascape.
- It's "a state-of-the-art robotic arm with an attached gondola that seats three guests, flying them nearly 175 feet above the sea," MSC Cruise Lines says.
- Riders can select "their desired thrill level — a first among robotic arm rides — ranging from family-friendly to high-intensity."
The big picture: Carnival Cruise Lines was the first to "install a full-fledged roller coaster on a ship" last year when it put "Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster" on the Mardi Gras, according to TravelAgeWest. - Disney Cruise Line promptly "upped the ante" with the AquaMouse, a water coaster.
What they're saying about the Robotron: "Yes, the ride flips passengers onto their backs, stomachs and completely upside down as they're suspended 174 feet above the water," Ashley Kosciolek writes for The Points Guy. - "It wowed me more than I expected, with what I can only describe as an experience that's equal parts startling (rather than terrifying) and delightful."
Share this story. | | | | | | | | A message from Capital One | | "People in our community have lost their jobs" | | | | | | | | Cameron Burton, a director at the Bland County Library in Virginia, says locals have lost their jobs because they don't have internet to work from home. A solution: Capital One, with the American Library Association, supplies hotspots that people can borrow from local libraries. Learn more. | | | | A hearty "thank you" to What's Next copy editor Elizabeth Black. Was this email forwarded to you? Get your daily dose of What's Next by signing up here for our free newsletter. |  | | Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it. | | | | | | Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here.
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