Smart glass installed on a restroom door in South China's Shenzhen turns transparent when smoking is detected inside. Photo: SZTV News
A shopping mall in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, has sparked online discussion in recent days after reportedly installing smart glass that switches from a milky frosted state to transparent when someone is detected smoking inside a restroom cubicle, while simultaneously triggering an alarm warning, the Guangming Daily reported on Tuesday.
In the male restrooms on the B1 floor of the Shuibei International Center, located on the southeast side of Shenzhen's Luohu district, warning signs are posted beside toilet cubicles fitted with the special glass. The sign reads, "Smoking will make the glass transparent. Do not lose control and end up becoming an online sensation," and is accompanied by a cartoon-style "social death" expression, implying that smoking inside will result in a sharp loss of personal "aura" points.
A mall notice explains that an intelligent smoke-sensing control system has been activated at the site. If smoke is detected, the cubicle glass will automatically turn fully transparent, while an audible alarm is triggered. A reporter tested the system in the restroom and found that once smoking occurs inside the cubicle, the smoke detector immediately activates and continues sounding to issue a warning.
According to the report, smoking in shopping mall restrooms has long been a persistent problem and has generated numerous customer complaints.
The operations director of another commercial building in Shuibei that has also installed the same smoke detection system said that the mall receives a large number of visitors from outside the city, as well as families with children, and that creating a smoke-free environment has always been a key priority.
The director added that the smart restroom glass currently under trial operation has received widespread recognition from both merchants and members of the public. Judging from the trial results, the system has proven effective in curbing smoking behavior, and the next step will be to fully promote the installation of the facility in both commercial buildings.
Many netizens voiced support in the comment section and expressed hopes that the smart glass smoke-detection system would be widely promoted.
