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If you happen to visit NTU and want to go to the loo, chances are, you will be greeted by a chiming sound to welcome you into the toilet, or even greetings.

The sound will be played upon receiving signals from a motion detector. An NTU spokesperson told Mothership that these devices were installed to deter incidences of voyeurism.

Sometimes "annyeonghaseyo", sometimes "konnichiwa"

Hasif, a year 4 NTU student, told Mothership he first noticed the device about two to three weeks ago in his hall toilet.

He captured the motion detector making a whistle-like sound in a video.

He realised the motion detectors were installed across different toilets when he checked his social media.

They were also installed in public areas outside of hall.

"The sound changes," he said. Some devices just let out a "ding dong", sometimes it's a woman saying "annyeonghaseyo", sometimes it's a woman saying "konnichiwa".

A TikTok video posted by another NTU student captured the device saying "sawadee ka", a Thai greeting.

@qixyqixwonderous use of my sch fees♬ original sound - qixyqix

Hasif felt it can be "quite annoying" because "the entire block knows you are going to the toilet" because the sound is quite loud, but added that it doesn't really affect him.

To his knowledge, the device was already installed in the women's toilet since the last academic year, according to the women students he knew.

It was only recently that the device started being implemented in the men's toilet.

Deter trespassers

The installation of the motion device started as a pilot project by the Nanyang Neighbourhood Police Centre (Jurong Police Division) in 2021.

Each device will trigger an audible signal each time it senses movement to alert occupants of the presence of others and as a deterrent to any intruder.

It was intended to complement other security measures at residential halls as part of NTU's effort to improve campus facilities and adopt new technologies to enhance security.

At the moment, about 700 movement sensors have been installed in the communal toilets across campus.

The devices are intended to deter trespassers in the toilet, as the university has seen a number of peeping tom and outrage of modesty cases.

"Students are also encouraged to remain vigilant and look out for one another," an NTU spokesperson said. "We are looking into students’ feedback on the sound signals."

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Top image via Hasif.