CES 2008: Technology in the toilets

Summary

The Dyson Airblade forces unheated air through a gap at over 400 miles per hour to create a high-velocity blade of air that claims to wipe hands dry in just 12 seconds.

Story Published: Jan 9, 2008 at 10:02 AM PST

Story Updated: Jan 9, 2008 at 3:50 PM PST

CES 2008: Technology in the toilets
You know the routine: wash your hands in a public restroom, bang on a large round button, rub your hands slowly under the warm air dispenser before giving up after a few minutes in frustration and wiping your hands on the back of your jeans on the way out the door.

A new hand dryer would like to change all that.

Before I continue, I should clarify: This was not to be found on the showroom floor. If there was a press conference, I wasn't invited. To my knowledge, this product didn't win any awards here at the 2008 CES.

But it did dry my hands.

I first learned about the Dyson Airblade through a television commercial you may have seen yourself. The inventor explains his experience with ordinary air dryers and his quest to build a commercial grade hand dryer that, in his words, "Works properly."

Their web site goes on to explain, "Dyson Airblade forces unheated air through a 0.3mm gap along it's entire 9in width at over 400 miles per hour, to create a high velocity blade of air that wipes hands dry in just 12 seconds."

It may not be the most high-tech product here at CES, but my jeans and I can't wait to see this one in restrooms everywhere.

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Brian M. Westbrook covers the Internet, the latest technology and the hottest gadgets. To reach Brian send an e-mail to techexpert@brianwestbrook.com .