Interesting but it's very commercial. I can't see it selling to the general public...

Nope, I’m steadyfast and optimistic for its prospects. Running a business in this day and age, as I do, you need to be open to new ways of thinking, which to me is the whole appeal of trendsetters like Dyson. Maybe when I’m in my later years, I’ll be a cranky old cynic, but for now… I can’t see any obvious flaws in the product, it’s self-contained, easy to install, doesn’t require any plumbing, energy efficient, is quick, very hygienic and almost fun to use. They’ve demonstrated a good business case for reducing costings and have it available under a leasing arrangement. It won’t been seen literally everywhere, many small independent places will carry on as before – but the pubs and bars near me (one of which has won national ‘loo of the year’ - no joke!) …well I can easily see them investing in this within the next 12 months.
 
Quote from Dyson_Chris on 10/03/06 at 8:53am:

Maybe missing the point, if the general public respond well and recognise it's benefits, it's still 'selling' to them - they're still the end users, even though they're not putting their hands in the pockets and buying it outright. For example, a private hospital might buy in to them to impress it's hygiene credentials on to it's paying clients.
 
Quote from Carmine_Difazio on 10/03/06 at 9:08am:

There's certainly many established, inexpensive options in this market, but there's nothing I know of that's approaching the level of Dyson's product. What other options are better? More cost effective? Can they be demonstrated against the cost comparison calculator on http://www.dysonairblade.co.uk/ ?
 
Quote from Carmine_Difazio on 10/03/06 at 9:08am:

Yep, off tangent time, but server blades are impressive - I fund my startup business by working alongside as a consultant for internet hosting companies and the 'blades' are a leap above what we had in the industry before.

The biggest fault I see with the design is the ergonomics of the slot in which one sticks her hands.  To me it looks a little small with little room to rotate the arms.  There are a lot of obese people who could potentially get their arms stuck in the slot or not be able to use the air blade because of the small opening.  It's not clear that the Airblade would work effectively for someone with large arms either.    
 
In the US, we expect businesses to make special accomodations for handicapped individuals.  It may be difficult for some handicapped individuals to use given the angle that the arms must enter as well as the height of the device.   While the airblade may be energy efficient, due to ergonomic issues, the business owner may need to purchase a greater number of units to accommodate the different customer heights (i.e. child versus adult).  
 
If I were a gambling man, I would not bet on the success of the Airblade without modifications to make it more ergonomic.

Quote from Carmine_Difazio on 10/03/06 at 10:32am:

 
I've seen similar before in restrooms, from small TV screens showing adverts, to still images projected behind, on to mirrored surfaces.
 
Depends how you define intelligence - my engineer father (60+) designed and built his own garage and workshop in the last few years. He now spends his days building two working model steam trains in that garage. He's also a proficient computer programmer, when he's dabbled in the past. But ask him to send an e-mail (on an iMac no less) .. oh my
 
Good write up of the Dyson event procedings here :-
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/03/tech/main2057515.shtml

IMHO, I can only see this selling to upscale hotels, restaurants, offices.  I doubt that you will see this in an average steakhouse or Kmart/Target/Walmart.  This will take up more space in smaller restrooms.