New York City has introduced 17 high-tech public restrooms this month, joining other U.S. cities in addressing the lack of accessible restrooms for the public. These self-contained units, developed by a company called Throne, use advanced technology to manage cleanliness and usage. Each bathroom has 21 sensors that detect messes and alert staff when cleaning is needed. Users are given a 10-minute time limit per visit, with warnings before the door automatically opens. If someone leaves the restroom untidy, they can be banned from using it again. These units are designed to be portable and self-sufficient, requiring no connection to water, electricity, or sewage systems. This flexibility allows them to be placed in various public spaces and relocated as needed. The push for modern public restrooms comes amid a growing conversation about their history and social significance. In his book For Customers Only: Public Bathrooms and the Making of American Inequality, Temple University professor Bryant Simon explores how public restrooms have reflected societal values and inequalities throughout history. He notes that in the early 20th century, public restrooms emerged as a response to urbanization and evolving ideas about privacy. However, they also became a tool for controlling and excluding certain groups of people. Simon explains that while public restrooms were once seen as a way to improve public health and social welfare, this optimism faded over time. By the 1930s, public restrooms in Washington, D.C., were being closed to exclude individuals labeled as "perverts," a decision Simon attributes to rising midcentury homophobia. He argues that this pattern of exclusion through restroom policies continued, leading to the marginalization of specific groups instead of serving the broader public. Today’s high-tech restrooms, like the Throne units, are being praised for their innovative features, including solar power and easy relocation. However, some critics argue that these solutions may only be temporary fixes for a more complex issue. The units are free to use, with access provided through an app or a free keycard, and users can be banned for leaving a mess, a feature that introduces a form of community oversight. Simon cautions that the long-term success of public restrooms depends on ongoing investment and maintenance. He warns that expecting restrooms alone to solve deep-rooted problems like housing insecurity may set unrealistic expectations. Nonetheless, the renewed focus on public sanitation reflects a growing recognition of the health and social impacts of inadequate restroom access in urban areas.