For many children, bath time is a moment full of joy, and for parents it is an opportunity to take care of their child’s hygiene and relaxation. But what if an ordinary baby bathtub could turn into a miniature jacuzzi? At Qwerty, we took on the challenge of creating a dedicated user interface that combines water resistance with intuitive operation and attractive design.

Producing a keyboard for a baby bathtub with a “bubble” function is not just another stage of our cooperation with manufacturers of exclusive bathroom equipment, but also proof that technology can find applications in the most surprising places. Our experience gained while designing control panels for professional saunas, swimming pools, and SPA bathtubs proved invaluable in delivering this unusual project. In this article, we take a closer look at how it was done.

Comfortable and safe bathing for every child – our design assumptions

When designing the keyboard for a baby bathtub, we set ourselves a clearly defined goal: to create an interface that combines everyday functionality with elements of advanced technology. Our aim was to develop a safe, intuitive control panel that allows parents to easily operate the gentle bubble system, while ensuring resistance to specific operating conditions – constant exposure to water, care products, and intensive daily use.

Designing keyboards for devices operating in direct contact with water posed very specific technical challenges. At the beginning of the project, we identified the key requirements:

Full waterproofing – the keyboard had to remain fully functional even with regular splashing or temporary submersion, taking into account the presence of detergents and disinfectants.

Electrical safety – the panel had to meet strict standards for electrical devices operating in wet environments, with absolute elimination of any risk of electric shock.

Compact dimensions – the interface had to fit the small size of the baby bathtub while maintaining ergonomics and ease of use.

Intuitive operation – the buttons needed to be clear and logically arranged, allowing one-handed operation while the other hand supports the child.

At this stage, we also analyzed how the bathtub would actually be used. We concluded that a parent usually has only one free hand – often wet – and their attention is focused on the child, not the device. Therefore, we designed the control panel to be operable without looking at the buttons. We used buttons that differ in shape, size, and position, allowing functions to be easily recognized by touch.

What technological solutions did we use in our keyboard for a baby jacuzzi?

To meet these challenges, we applied specialized materials and technologies that ensure reliable keyboard operation in contact with water. Every element of the interface was carefully selected with moisture resistance and child safety in mind.

Membrane foil and IP68 protection rating

The heart of the keyboard is a membrane made of foil resistant to disinfectants. This material allows regular cleaning without the risk of surface damage or loss of functionality. The membrane is highly water-resistant and provides a pleasant tactile feel, improving user comfort.

Moreover, the keyboard achieves a high IP68 protection rating, meaning it is completely dust-tight and resistant to water immersion. This is essential for a bathtub that generates water movement and bubbles, which pose a serious challenge for electronics.

The membrane structure provides clear mechanical feedback when pressing the keys – the user receives an unambiguous confirmation of function activation, which is particularly important when operating the panel with wet hands.

Safe electrical connections

In bathroom devices, electrical safety is an absolute priority. The biggest challenge in designing waterproof interfaces is properly securing electrical connections. At Qwerty, we developed a proprietary sealing method that completely isolates electronic components from water and moisture.

All cables are properly insulated, and contact points are protected with additional shields. We worked closely with the client to integrate the keyboard with the bathtub system in a way that meets the strictest standards for devices operating in wet environments.

Ergonomics and aesthetics

When designing the keyboard, we paid special attention to user comfort for parents. The buttons are arranged in an intuitive, logical layout that enables one-handed operation. This is a practical solution, as during bathing the parent must keep the other hand free to safely support the child.

At the same time, we aimed for a minimalist design that matches the modern look of the bathtub. The surface is smooth, without unnecessary protrusions, which makes it easier to keep clean – a particularly important aspect in children’s products.

The buttons vary in size and shape depending on frequency of use and functional importance, enabling almost blind operation. We also applied a special antibacterial protective coating on the keyboard surface, which prevents the growth of microorganisms.

A luxury baby bathtub with a Qwerty keyboard – valuable experience and unique cooperation

Working on the keyboard for a baby bathtub with a jacuzzi function was not only a technical challenge for us, but also a source of inspiration. Delivering a project for such an unusual device showed us how diverse the applications of our products can be. This experience reinforced our belief that we can adapt to the most unconventional ideas, combining technology with user needs – even those of the youngest users.

After an initial testing phase involving parents, the baby bathtub control panel entered mass production and is now standard equipment in electronic bathtubs offered by a Polish manufacturer of children’s products. Users particularly appreciated the intuitive operation and durability of the panels – the buttons maintain full functionality and an aesthetic appearance even after many months of regular use.

We also confirmed that technologies originally developed for one industry can be successfully applied in completely different sectors – the adaptation of jacuzzi solutions for a baby bathtub perfectly illustrates the value of an interdisciplinary design approach. At Qwerty, we highly value such collaborations – thanks to them, we continuously develop our technologies, seeking materials and structural solutions that allow us to create even more functional and durable user interfaces for the most unconventional applications.