IoT Based Autonomous Solution for the Maintenance of Public Toilet

A. Joyce, V. Sharmili, S. Shivani and J. Malathika

Department of Computer Science and Engineering, PSNA College of Engineering and Technology, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu,

India

Keywords: Autocleaning, Monitors, Environmental Condition, Control System, Optimizing Water Usage, Hygiene

System.

Abstract: Automated restroom system integrates IoT for water control and real-time occupancy detection to optimize

resource usage efficiently. The system uses ultrasonic sensors for person detection and Ammonia sensors for

detecting bad odors in restrooms. Water motor activates automatically when ultrasonic sensor detects a

person, ensuring timely and efficient cleaning of the restroom. Fog maker dispenses sanitizing mist when

hands are placed under it, enhancing hygiene and reducing manual intervention. LCD and IoT enable real-

time monitoring of restroom conditions, providing data for efficient management and maintenance. UV light

is incorporated for germ cleaning, ensuring a hygienic environment by eliminating harmful microorganisms

in the restroom.

1 INTRODUCTION

The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) in

automated restroom systems has significantly

improved hygiene, resource management, and user

convenience.

The absence of proper sanitation facilities

increases the spread of bacterial and viral infections

such as diarrhea, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and

skin diseases. heavy odor, it creates multiple

problems like headaches, nausea, and respiratory

discomfort. Environmental issues in public toilets

stem from excessive water wastage due to leaking

taps and inefficient flushing systems.

Traditional restroom maintenance relies on

periodic cleaning schedules and manual intervention,

often leading to inefficiencies in water usage, hygiene

maintenance, and real-time monitoring. The

development of smart restroom systems aims to

address these challenges by incorporating advanced

sensors and automation techniques to enhance

efficiency and cleanliness. By utilizing IoT, these

systems ensure optimal resource utilization while

reducing the dependency on human effort for

maintenance and monitoring.

A key component of the automated restroom

system is real-time occupancy detection, which plays

a crucial role in optimizing water and energy

consumption. The system employs ultrasonic sensors

to detect human presence and trigger necessary

actions such as water flow control and sanitation

processes. This feature ensures that water is used only

when required, minimizing wastage while

maintaining a clean and hygienic restroom

environment. Additionally, an MQ6 gas sensor is

integrated to detect unpleasant odors, allowing

immediate corrective actions, such as activating

ventilation or air-purification systems, to maintain

fresh restroom conditions.

To further enhance hygiene, the system includes a

fog maker that dispenses a sanitizing mist when hands

are placed under it. This eliminates the need for

physical contact with sanitation devices, reducing the

risk of germ transmission. Moreover, an ultraviolet

(UV) light sterilization mechanism is incorporated to

disinfect restroom surfaces, effectively eliminating

harmful microorganisms. These features work

collectively to ensure a safer restroom environment,

particularly in high-traffic public spaces where

maintaining hygiene is crucial to preventing the

spread of infections.

Real-time monitoring and data analytics further

enhance the efficiency of automated restrooms. An

LCD display and IoT connectivity enable facility

managers to track restroom conditions remotely,

allowing timely intervention and maintenance. By

Joyce, A., Sharmili, V., Shivani, S. and Malathika, J.

IoT Based Autonomous Solution for the Maintenance of Public Toilet.

DOI: 10.5220/0013904500004919

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Research and Development in Information, Communication, and Computing Technologies (ICRDICCT‘25 2025) - Volume 3, pages

729-734

ISBN: 978-989-758-777-1

729

leveraging IoT-driven automation, these smart

restroom systems not only promote hygiene but also

contribute to sustainability by conserving water and

reducing excessive cleaning resource consumption.

With continuous advancements in sensor technology

and automation, the implementation of such

intelligent restroom systems is expected to become

increasingly widespread, revolutionizing restroom

management across various sectors, including public

facilities, corporate spaces, and healthcare

institutions.

2 RELATED WORKS

Explores the use of IoT-enabled smart toilets for

elderly care, enabling health monitoring at home,

particularly for infection tracking (K. Dheeraj, S. S.

Kumar, and K. R. Singh). Smart restroom monitoring

system for residential colleges, using IoT sensors to

track restroom conditions and send alerts for

maintenance, ensuring hygiene and user satisfaction

(J. Smith, A. Brown, and L. Taylor).

Sensors monitor cleanliness and usage, alerting

maintenance teams in real time via an IoT-enabled

system aimed at maintaining public toilets in smart

cities, reducing the risk of disease transmission

(Wang Yunhe and Wang Bingbing). Smart public

toilets within the context of a smart city, aiming for

efficiency and sustainability (QIN Doudou, GUO

Kairui, LI Yuhao et al.).

Focuses on how IoT can be applied in the design

of public toilets, optimizing hygiene, maintenance,

and user convenience (M. Patel and R. Sharma).

Smart washroom cleaning system using hub

technology to streamline cleaning operations. Sensors

detect usage patterns and cleanliness levels,

triggering alerts for cleaning staff, improving hygiene

efficiency (Nayana B. Chide and Nilesh P. Bobad).

Smart toilet capable of analyzing excreta for real-

time, personalized health monitoring. Highlights its

potential in early disease detection through non-

invasive methods (Seung-min Park, Daeyoun Won,

Jung Ho Yu, Sanjiv Gambhir, Brian Lee, Andre

Esteva, et al.). IoT-enabled smart washrooms,

focusing on user convenience, water conservation,

and maintenance optimization (R. Sujeetha, D.

Abhinav, R. Rithik, and S. Abishek).

Toilet system for monitoring health by analyzing

excreta, offering personalized health feedback

(Cristina Balaceanu, Ioana Marcu, George Suciu,

Carina Dantas, and Peter Mayer). Washrooms in

general and lacks integration with advanced

healthcare or personalized services (K. Nakamura, S.

Takahashi, and Y. Honda).

IoT-based toilet management system,

emphasizing automated maintenance and real-time

monitoring to ensure cleanliness and efficiency (R.

Gupta, S. Mehta, and V. Deshmukh). Smart toilet

system designed for elderly individuals and people

with disabilities, emphasizing usability, health

monitoring, and enhanced accessibility (D. Lopez and

J. Garcia).

IoT sensors to detect human presence in smart

toilets. It discusses potential improvements and

strategies to enhance sensor accuracy and reliability

(F. Rossi, L. Bianchi, and P. Conti). Smart toilet

system for optimizing resource usage like water and

energy. Sensors collect usage data to help manage

resources more efficiently (C. Lee and M. Park).

Public toilets as either potential health facilitators

or pathogen transmitters, emphasizing design and

hygiene management for public health (Clara Greed).

3 EXISTING SYSTEM

Existing research on IoT-enabled smart toilets has

significantly evolved, focusing on hygiene,

maintenance, health monitoring, and resource

optimization. Early studies examined public toilets as

potential health facilitators or pathogen transmitters,

emphasizing hygiene management and design

considerations. With technological advancements,

IoT integration became a key focus, leading to the

development of smart toilet systems that optimize

resource usage, such as water and energy, through

sensor-driven data collection.

Research has also introduced IoT-based toilet

management systems aimed at automated

maintenance and real-time cleanliness monitoring,

ensuring efficient restroom operations. Additionally,

studies have explored the challenges of using IoT

sensors for human presence detection in smart toilets,

highlighting concerns related to accuracy and

security.

In recent years, smart toilets have been

increasingly explored for healthcare applications.

Some advancements in this field have introduced

smart toilets capable of analyzing excreta for real-

time, personalized health monitoring, with potential

applications in early disease detection. Similarly,

research has focused on the use of IoT-enabled smart

toilets for elderly care, particularly in infection

tracking, allowing health monitoring at home.

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Other studies have proposed smart restroom

monitoring systems for residential colleges to ensure

cleanliness and user satisfaction. Additionally, IoT-

enabled systems have been developed to maintain

public toilets in smart cities, reducing disease

transmission risks. These studies highlight the

growing integration of IoT in sanitation and

healthcare, paving the way for future innovations in

smart toilet technology.

4 PROPOSED SYSTEM

The proposed system integrates IoT for real-time

monitoring and control, optimizing water usage and

improving restroom hygiene. Ultrasonic sensors

detect human presence and Water level from tank,

triggering automated cleaning mechanisms like water

motors to ensure timely restroom maintenance.MQ6

sensors monitor air quality, detecting bad odors and

initiating cleaning processes to maintain a pleasant

restroom environment with Spryer. Fog makers

dispense sanitizing mist when hands are placed under

them, enhancing hygiene and reducing the spread of

germs. LCD and IoT enable real-time monitoring of

restroom conditions, providing data for efficient

management and maintenance. UV lights are

integrated for germ cleaning, ensuring a sanitized

restroom environment by eliminating harmful

microorganisms effectively. Figure 1 shows the

IoT-

Based Smart Sanitization and Environmental Monitoring

System Using Arduino.

• User Detection & Monitoring Module

• Air Quality & Odor Detection Module

• Automated Cleaning & Water Management

Module

• Sanitization & Hygiene Enhancement

Module

• IoT-Based Remote Monitoring & Control

Module

• Power Supply & Connectivity Module

Figure 1: IoT-based smart sanitization and environmental

monitoring system using Arduino.

UNO (ATMega328P) – Acts as the main Arduino

controller, processing sensor inputs and controlling

output devices such as the water motor, fog maker,

and display.

NodeMCU (ESP8266) – Provides Wi-Fi

connectivity for remote monitoring and control,

allowing users to access data or send commands

wirelessly.

Water Motor – Operates based on sensor readings,

turning on or off to regulate water flow as needed,

controlled by the Arduino.

Fog Maker – Uses ultrasonic vibrations to convert

water into mist, controlled by the microcontroller for

humidity control or visual effects.

16x2 LCD – Displays real-time sensor readings,

system status, or any necessary information processed

by the Arduino.

UV Light – Turns on for sterilization or specific

applications, controlled via relays or transistors based

on programmed conditions.

MQ6 Sensor – Continuously detects gas leaks (LPG,

propane, butane) and sends signals to the Arduino,

which can trigger alerts or safety actions.

Ultrasonic Sensor – Measures distances or levels by

emitting ultrasonic waves and detecting reflections,

useful for obstacle detection or liquid level

monitoring.

Power Supply Unit – Provides regulated power to all

components, ensuring stable operation of

microcontrollers, sensors, and output devices.

Jumper Wires – Facilitate electrical connections

between components, enabling communication and

power distribution within the system.

IoT Based Autonomous Solution for the Maintenance of Public Toilet

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5 IMPLEMENTATIONS

Figure 2: Smart waste management system using Arduino

and IoT.

Figure 2 gives the smart waste management system

using Arduino and IoT.

These are the algorithms we are using in this process.

• Event-Driven Algorithm: The system

continuously listens for inputs from ultrasonic

sensors (person detection), MQ6 sensors (odor

detection), and hand detection for the fog maker.

Whenever an event (sensor trigger) occurs,

corresponding actions (water motor activation,

sanitation, etc.) are executed.

• State Machine Algorithm: The system

transitions between different states (Idle,

Occupied, Cleaning, Ventilation, Disinfection)

based on sensor data.

• Loop-Based Control Algorithm: A continuous

loop runs to check sensor inputs and update

restroom conditions in real-time, ensuring

efficient monitoring.

• IoT-Based Monitoring Algorithm: Data from

sensors is sent to an IoT dashboard, enabling

remote tracking and maintenance alerts.

5.1 User Detection & Monitoring

Utilizes ultrasonic sensors to detect human presence

in the restroom. Activates water motor only when a

user is detected, reducing water wastage. Tracks

water level in the storage tank to ensure optimal water

availability.

• Air Quality & Odor Detection

Uses MQ6 gas sensors to detect bad Odors and

monitor air quality. Triggers automatic cleaning

mechanisms when Odor levels exceed a

threshold. Ensures a pleasant restroom

environment by eliminating foul smells

efficiently.

• Automated Cleaning & Water Management

Controls water motor to spray and clean surfaces

based on sensor inputs. Reduces manual

intervention and ensures consistent hygiene

levels. Monitors and optimizes water usage,

preventing unnecessary wastage.

• Sanitization & Hygiene Enhancement

Integrates fog makers to dispense sanitizing mist

when a user places hands under them. UV light

system eliminates harmful microorganisms,

ensuring germ-free restrooms. Enhances user

hygiene and reduces the risk of infections.

• IoT-Based Remote Monitoring & Control

Utilizes NodeMCU (ESP8266) for cloud-based

real-time monitoring of restroom conditions.

Displays restroom status and sensor data on an

LCD screen. Sends data to Arduino IoT Cloud

for remote management and maintenance alerts.

• Power Supply & Connectivity

Ensures uninterrupted power for components

like Arduino UNO, sensors, and actuators. Uses

jumper wires for connectivity between hardware

components. Manages power distribution to

optimize energy efficiency.

6 SAMPLE OUTPUT

The system comprises an Arduino-based smart safety

circuit integrating IR, ultrasonic, and gas sensors for

real-time environmental monitoring. As shown in

Figure 3, the sensors detect obstacles, distance, and

toxic gases, with data processed by Arduino to trigger

appropriate actions like exhaust fan activation. In

Figure 4, the circuit identifies motion and hazardous

gas presence, displaying alerts on the LCD and

activating safety mechanisms through relays. Figure

5 highlights the regulated power supply and relay-

driven control for managing detected risks. Together,

these configurations ensure a responsive and

automated safety solution for hazardous

environments.

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COMMUNICATION, AND COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES

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Figure 3: Sensor (IR, Ultrasonic, gas) detect obstacles,

distance, and toxic gases, sending data to Arduino. Arduino

processes signal, display status on LCD, activates relays to

trigger exhaust fan or alert system.

Figure 4: Sensor detect obstacle, motion and gas level,

sending data to Arduino which processes and display status

on LCD. Based on the input, Arduino activates relays to

trigger alarm or exhaust system for safety.

Figure 5: This circuit use Arduino to monitor gas, distance

and obstacles via sensor, displaying status on an LCD and

control devices through relays a regulated power supply to

the entire system.

7 CONCLUSIONS

The automated restroom system optimizes water

usage and improves hygiene through IoT-enabled

real-time monitoring and control. Ultrasonic sensors

ensure accurate person detection, triggering

automated cleaning mechanisms and reducing

manual intervention in restrooms.MQ6 sensors detect

bad odors, initiating cleaning processes to maintain a

pleasant and hygienic restroom environment. Fog

makers enhance hygiene by dispensing sanitizing

mist, reducing the spread of germs and improving

user convenience. LCD and IoT enable real-time

monitoring of restroom conditions, providing data for

efficient management and maintenance. UV lights

ensure germ-free restrooms by eliminating harmful

microorganisms, providing a sanitized environment

for users.

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