Coway Research and Development: creating Bidetmega
Perfecting the bidet experience
The people on the Coway Research and Development Team have a healthy obsession with bathroom hygiene. Coway has won numerous design and engineering awards for their line of bidet toilet seats, known as Bidetmega. When it comes to hygienic technology, Coway stands above the rest, having a dedicated team testing and improving their products for the next generation of technology. Here’s a glimpse into the process behind creating the world’s best bidet products.
Experience is everything, from toys to toilets
Sung Worl Jin, the Team Leader for the LivingCare Development Team at Coway, says a wide variety of experiences can help shape the products they engineer.
“Even when traveling, I investigate the types of bidets and home appliances and carefully examine how Coway products are different...At the mall, I often stop by the toy store. I gain inspiration from the toys. If you look closely at these structures, sometimes those ideas are good hints to make Coway products better."
Bidet solutions can be found in the most unexpected places
When work first began on Bidetmega, they were researching which current of water pressure gave the right balance for cleanliness and comfort. Then one day, Jin saw their daughter playing with a rubber hose, and realized the flexibility of the hose could help with the bidet’s water path. Coway’s now-patented iWave technology gives a multiple-stage wash with different pressures, allowing for maximum cleanliness, and a more gentle experience.
Every body is considered
With decades of research, Coway knows that even for bidets, functionality depends on the user. From cleaning functions and automatic sterilization nozzles, to flow passages, seat shapes, and power saving functions—each are designed to meet a different user’s needs. When testing products, all kinds of body types and backgrounds are invited to give their input. What results is a bidet toilet seat that’s diverse enough to meet the needs of every body, and impressive enough to give life-changing results to everybody who uses it.
Sung Worl Jin inspects Bidetmegas at Coway Research and Development.
Using technology to maintain the best hygiene possible
Coway’s R&D team has been a leading force in sanitation technology. It was the first to sterilize water in the bidet for commercial use, by activating chlorine ions in tap water without additional additives. This water is harmless to the body, but cleans the bidet hygienically. In addition, the washing of the nozzle tip before and after each use drains the excess water to prevent any bacterial growth. Bidetmega’s stainless steel nozzles were an important factor in maintaining the device’s hygiene.
Balancing water pressure for every body
Jin says that water pressure is key to the bidet experience. If the water pressure is too strong, it may affect overall health. The team developed a 'Child Mode' with less pressure, so even the smallest among us can use a bidet daily, and won’t bring unnecessary stress to our most sensitive parts. Coway's i-Wave technology, which was developed through a rigorous 2-year R&D process, automatically adjusts the flow of water to enhance the user's convenience.
Jin continues, “i-Wave technology provides customized water flow depending on the user, age, and other conditions. Research showed that men and women have different needs...all this collective data has helped us to develop the technology. Depending on the user and their needs, the technology will help with the range and time of cleaning. From a soft start to a rinse wash finish."
Keeping it warm
A manual bidet with no electrical functions can be a terrible inconvenience, especially in winter months when only cold water is immediately available. A smart bidet like Bidetmega can provide warm water and even a warm seat.
Developing a bidet takes time
Jin confirmed that the average time it takes from design to product is about 8 months, and then it takes another year to get approval and certifications from international standards. That’s why customers are advised to choose a product from a company with lots of experience, like Coway.
The proof is in the product
“Each product is like a child, so it’s rewarding to see the product grow into something big where customers are satisfied with the use. The fact that our products sell well means Coway is being recognized for quality and performance.” Jin hopes everyone gets a chance to experience Bidetmega, a product they’ve worked so diligently to perfect: “It is a new life discovery! Give it a try—what are you waiting for?”
Disclaimers
1Coway air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander, viruses and bacteria in the air based on KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing.They have been tested in a 30㎥ size chamber according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers.
→ Tested with Airmega Aim, 100, 150, 160, AP-1216L, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, IconS, 230, 240, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S, ProX
299.97% of viruses, bacteria, fungi and pollen were verified to be removed from the air for Coway air purifiers which have Green True HEPA™ filter applied based on the Japan Food Research Laboratories(JFRL) testing according to JEM 1467 standard.
→ Tested with Coway Airmega AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S
→ All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
- Virus: Tested with Escherichia coli phage ΦX174 NBRC 103405, 60 minutes
- Bacteria: Tested with Staphylococcus epidermidis NBRC 12993, 60 minutes
- Fungi/Mold: Tested with Penicillium citrinum NBRC 6352, 60 minutes
- Pollen: Tested with Cedar Pollen extract, 60 minutes
3Aerosol test conducted in a Biosafety level 3 laboratory with two Coway air purifier models, Coway Airmega 250 and 400 for removal of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol by US based MRI Global, a not-for-profit laboratory and partner of US Department of Defense. The test was conducted in a 13.1ft3 chamber. Virus was aerosolized for 15 minutes and the product was turned on high for 2 minutes. Result showed each product effectively removed over 99.98% of the SARS-CoV-2 in 2 minutes. This is a result from a laboratory experiment condition and result may vary in different conditions. This result does not imply it kills SARS-CoV-2 or prevents the transmission of Covid-19. Coway Airmega 250S and 400S are identical to the tested models and has equal performance with an additional mobile connectivity function.
4The concentration of ammonia, acetaldehyde and acetic acid were proven to be removed within 30 minutes by FCG Research Institute, Inc. Human Life Science Lab. It is not a demonstration result in the actual use space. Not all odors and gases may be supported. → Tested with Coway Airmega 150, 160, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 400, 400S
5The coverage area of the air purifier is based on an area where the air cleaner can make two air changes per hour (ACPH). An air change per hour translates to how many times an air purifier can clean an area, assuming the height of a ceiling to be 8 ft, in one hour. Therefore ** means two air changes per hour means that the cleaner can clean the area once every 30 minutes and * means air changes per hour means that the air purifier can clean the area once every 60 minutes.
10Terms and conditions apply. Discounts, including promotions, coupons, bundle discount and subscription discount, cannot be stacked on top of other coupons. During promotional periods, discount codes will not be able to be applied to orders. Promo codes may apply to products only—filters, accessories, and new products within 3 months of the release date are not included.