Royal Oak: your Throne awaits!
The City is pleased to partner with Throne Labs to bring the company’s cutting-edge smart public restroom units to three key locations: Centennial Commons Park, Lawson Park, and the Farmers Market. Installed on July 1, the Thrones are now fully operational, offering clean, safe, and family-friendly restroom access to residents and visitors.
What is Throne?
Throne smart bathrooms are self-contained units that require no connection to water or sewer and are powered by solar. They feature running-water sinks, flushing toilets, and robust ventilation, allowing cities to meaningfully increase access to clean bathrooms without the lengthy build times and ever-increasing costs of permanent infrastructure.
How Do I Access a Throne Bathroom?
There are three ways to access a Throne:
- Text-to-enter: Scan the QR code or text "Throne" to the number posted on the unit
- Throne App: Download the app to find nearby Thrones and access them directly
- Throne Tap Card: For those without phones, free tap cards are available at the front desk of the Royal Oak Public Library.
What About People Without Phones?
Thrones do not require an app and can be accessed with any phone, including non-smartphones. However, for those who don’t have reliable access to a phone, Throne Tap Cards--available at the Royal Oak Public Library--enable phoneless entry.
What Amenities Does the Throne Offer?
Each Throne bathroom comes equipped with modern amenities designed for comfort and accessibility. Standard features include a flushing toilet, running-water sink with soap and paper towels, and robust ventilation system. Thrones are climate controlled and include baby changing stations to support families on the go. The entire experience is touchless for improved hygiene, from entry to hand washing.
Are Throne Bathrooms ADA Accessible?
Yes! Throne's design exceeds Federal ADA accessibility standards.
How Long Can I Spend in a Throne?
There a 10-minute time limit per session, which helps ensure that Thrones remain available as a shared community resource. Data shows the average Throne visit takes about 3.5 minutes, so 10 minutes provides ample time for most users while preventing extended stays that could limit access for others. This time limit is an important feature that helps prevent misuse and ensures everyone in the community has fair access when they need it. It also serves an important safety function: if someone experiences a medical emergency inside, they can be seen and helped once the door opens.
How are Thrones Kept Clean?
Cleaning frequency is tailored to each location's needs and usage patterns. High-traffic sites in busy downtown areas can receive five or more cleanings per day, while quieter neighborhood locations with lower usage might receive just one. Beyond scheduled cleanings, our operations team monitors real-time cleanliness ratings and can dispatch on-demand cleaning when needed. This flexible, data-driven approach ensures that each Throne stays clean regardless of varying usage patterns.
Why Throne in Royal Oak?
To provide fair and equitable access to restrooms for all. City Commissioner Brandon Kolo, who has been a vocal advocate for community and family bathroom access, said: “Royal Oak is always working to improve the day-to-day experience for residents and visitors. We identified a real gap in access to clean, reliable public restrooms in some of our busiest outdoor spaces. This pilot gives us a chance to respond directly to community needs—especially for families, older adults, and people who wish to enjoy our spaces without having to cut their visits short.”
Learn more about Throne, or for questions about Throne in Royal Oak, contact the Department of Public Services at 248-246-3300.