We have the greatest minds of a generation working on all sorts of ways to make us better shoppers and consumers, while also using us as guinea pigs. Is it possible we’ve reached Innovation Overload? It’s just possible that this “innovation” marks the moment.

$875 – $1,100 for a faucet that can be (partially) controlled via voice.

Let that sink in. How many times have you stood at the kitchen sink thinking, there’s got to be a better way to make the water come out?  Come on.

Actually, how many times have you stood at the kitchen sink today, really? Voice activated lighting is more than a gimmick. Not essential, but nice to have, I guess. Voice activated TV sounds fairly useful to anyone who’s surrendered to the couch for the evening. But the faucet?

With the way that technology breaks down leaving you feeling worse than before it “changed your life for the better” this sounds like a ticking time bomb for frustration. You wifi gets spotty or your phone is in another room, and you can’t get an exact 12 ounce pour. Argh!

The voice command required is no piece of cake either. Kohler requires you to ask “Hey, Alexa, ask Kohler to turn on the faucet.” Who’s working for who here?

There’s also no voice activated temperature control and the interface can’t handle fractions, so only full units of measure. And if you’re using Siri, you can’t get any measurements at all!

Innovation Overload

Back to the original thought here. This product isn’t ready, and isn’t necessary. All the brain power that went into could have been used to create an alternative to all the plastic used in Kohler packaging.

If this appeals to you, as a product, have you considered adapting your toilets to auto flush, like in public restrooms. Thinks of the time you’ll save, and the smug look that appears on your face when you hear the bowl flush itself, while you’re telling the faucet to ask Alexa, to ask Kohler to dispense 12 ounces of water into your waiting hands.