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User-detecting shower head lowers the water flow when not needed

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The Reva shower head automatically reduces water flow by about 85% when it detects that the user isn't standing directly beneath it
Oasense
The Reva shower head is priced at US$350
Oasense
The Reva shower head automatically reduces water flow by about 85% when it detects that the user isn't standing directly beneath it
Oasense

You don't need the full force of the water for every second that you're in the shower, but constantly turning it up and down at the taps can be tricky. That's where the Reva shower head comes in, as it automatically reduces the flow whenever you step back.

Manufactured by San Francisco-based startup Oasense, the Reva was invented by co-founder Evan Schneider when he was trying to find ways of saving water during the California drought. He realized that when people are in the shower, they require little if any water flow when doing things like shampooing or lathering soap.

The resulting head can be installed on any standard shower arm. Its electronics are powered by a built-in hydro-turbine generator, which is spun by the flowing water and connected to an integrated battery.

When the user wants to start showering, they just turn the taps to the desired temperature. The Reva responds by initially running the water at its 100% flow rate, which is 1.8 gallons (6.8 l) per minute. Once the device's temperature sensor detects that all the residual cold water has been purged from the pipes, and the incoming "new" water is at the selected temperature, it reduces the flow to about 0.3 gallons (1.1 l) per minute – or approximately 15% of the maximum flow.

The Reva shower head is priced at US$350
Oasense

When the user steps in, an array of infrared sensors in the Reva detect their presence beneath the shower head, and bring the pressure back up to 100%. Whenever they step back to shampoo or whatnot, though, the flow is temporarily brought back down to 15%. And no, the device doesn't incorporate any cameras, nor does it transmit any data to the internet.

Additionally, by pressing a button on top of the Reva, the user can keep it at 100% full-time (for one showering session) if desired. It will default back its flow-adjusting mode on its next use.

According to Oasense, users have reported water savings of over 50% – of course, your mileage may vary. Should you be interested in getting one, the Reva shower head will set you back US$350.

Source: Oasense via IEEE Spectrum

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11 comments
vince
One would have to shower a few times a day to get any reasonable payback in saving on your water bill.
ADVENTUREMUFFIN
Brilliant! Bravo! I was looking for something to do the functions described. Looking forward to finding one of these on the market, preferably at a price point that can be justified at an ROI of 15%
Daishi
I had no idea other people fully move away from the shower head when taking showers until now.
ComedyBill
The opportunity here is definitely water saving at scale. Many metropolitan areas around the world are struggling with water resources, imagine a large portion of a city making those savings...
Brian M
Every time I step into the shower, always think of something like this and being able to recycle and filter the water, but alas it's not really cost effective - and at $350, this isn't either.

Perhaps just a very simple on/off switch is all that's required using good old fashioned plumbing techniques!
mark34
people on 'city water' don't seem to appreciate the resource that unlimited water at the turn of a tap is. Rural homesteads on wells that depend on a fluctuating water table would find this device useful. I wonder how dried mineral buildup (common in hard well water) will affect the sensors?
pmshah
I would still prefer to go with the chain pull ones found at beaches. That is the best way to minimise wastage. Honestly . Who turns off the shower when soaping their bodies?
jzj
Or for a few bucks you get an on-off flow restrictor that goes ahead of the showerhead, like the one I've had for decades that I think I got for free from my city to reduce water consumption.
Aross
This won't work in shower stalls as one will never be far enough away from the shower head to do its thing. I have a shower control that maintains a preset temperature so just turn down or off the flow when not needed at no extra cost. Not only saving water but also US$350.
BlueOak
Our water bill (due to massive Federal govt EPA waste water treatment costs) continues to increase and has now become our highest cost utility bill. And we live in a state almost completely surrounded by Great Lakes. A “non-temperate” heating and cooling region.

It is surprising that simple shower heads with an on/off (at least reduced flow) function are so difficult to find. We don’t need it to be fancy and automatic. A simple lever/button. They exist but are rare. We found one. Every shower head priced over $40 should include it.