Skip to main content

Charmin’s new toilet paper robot is just as odd as those bears

Charmin is known for its hilarious commercials, but now the toilet paper company is introducing an entirely new field of bathroom-betterment: Robots. When was the last time you found yourself on the can, only to realize you had no toilet paper available and no one around to bring you any? Thanks to Charmin’s new RollBot, that’s not a problem. On display at CES 2020, RollBot connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and can be summoned with the tap of a button. It makes use of a balancing mechanism that allows it to stay upright and on the move, even if loaded down with one of Charmin’s Forever Rolls.

But the RollBot isn’t the only inventive item Charmin plans to bring to the field. Running out of toilet paper is one thing, but walking into a bathroom only to be laid flat by an odiferous wall is something everyone is familiar with — and that no one enjoys. To combat this, Charmin has introduced the SmellSense. This sensor is calibrated to pick up on carbon dioxide emitted from a toot and will display a “Go” or “No Go” status on the sensor. You can find out whether a bathroom is safe for occupancy without using your nose as the testing device.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Now, RollBot and SmellSense both focus on convenience and ease of use, but what about a tool built to enhance the bathroom experience beyond anything you’ve ever dreamed of? Enter the V.I. Pee. Charmin imagines a world where you never miss out on an experience just because you have to answer the call of nature. The V.I. Pee is described as a “premium porta-potty experience.” You sit down and slide the Oculus Rift S VR Helmet over your head so that you can resume your concert, sporting event, or whatever else you were previously doing before you succumbed to biological impulses.

Charmin is demonstrating these products at the Proctor and Gamble LifeLab Booth at CES, but sadly, none of the three will be available for retail sale. On the other hand, Charmin’s creations hint at the future of smart bathrooms. After all, what more do you need than a toilet paper bot?

Follow our live blog for more CES news and announcements.

Editors' Recommendations

Patrick Hearn
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it's a…
This 4-in-1 washing machine combo from Eureka cleans almost everything in your home
The Eureka Wash Bot installed in a laundry room.

Eureka isn’t a household name like Roborock or iRobot, but that didn’t stop the smart home company from showing off one of the most unique products of CES 2024. The Eureka Dual Washing Bot is an upcoming washing machine that doubles as a dryer, features a built-in robot vacuum and mop, and boasts a sleek design that rivals the best washers available today.

In other words, this 4-in-1 washing machine can clean and dry your clothes while simultaneously vacuuming and mopping your floors. That makes it one of the most versatile smart home gadgets on display in Las Vegas.

Read more
Eureka shows off an innovative robot vacuum with a belt mopping system at CES 2024
A view of the bottom of the Eureka J20 robot vacuum.

When it comes to robot vacuums and mops, most models employ one of two methods to clean your floors -- a vibrating mop plate or spinning mop pads. Eureka is doing things a bit differently this year, as the team revealed the J20 Robotic Vacuum and Floor Washer at CES 2024, which uses an innovative new belt mop design.

The so-called RollRenew mopping system features a cycling belt mop, a dual water tank, and five water nozzles. As the robot rolls its mop across your floors, the nozzles will continuously spray water, cleaning up stains and soaking up spills. The dirty portion of the mop is then cleaned by a scraper located under the robot, forcing the dirty water into a wastewater reservoir.

Read more
Samsung Ballie is a rolling smart home hub with a built-in projector
Samsung Ballie being chased by a dog.

Samsung first revealed Ballie -- its rolling smart home hub -- at CES 2020. Now, at CES 2024, the adorable robot is making a triumphant return, this time sporting a new built-in projector. Samsung didn't have a physical Ballie roving around at CES, but the team showed off a home bot demonstration video, revealing how the robot has evolved over the years.

If you're unfamiliar with Ballie, think of it as a roving smart home hub, capable of taking orders from you and syncing with the rest of your smart home. Along with dishing out commands to your connected gadgets, it can serve as a patrolling security guard, giving you a live stream of your home while at work or on vacation.

Read more