During my renovation, I have installed both IR sensor controlled taps, and pedal controlled.
The first project was the main bathroom. Since I use wastewater heat recovery, we now have three water lines in the house: Cold - warm - hot.
The faucet in the main bathroom is a combination type, where a manual handle opens up for a mix of cold and hot water, in a conventional way. For brushing your teeth of having some water to drink, it is nice to be able to get the cold water. For shaving, the hot water is great to clean the razor blade. But the automatic one, the sensor driven, is great for washing hands. It is a mix of cold and warm (the warm being cold pre-heated by waste water recovery).
This is called an "Oras Ventura" tap, see it here:
For the kitchen sink, we did something similar. We tried a different brand first, but it did not work, so we went for the kitchen model of the Oras Ventura:
If you search for Oras Ventura, looking for images, you will find more pictures, as well as technical drawings.
For the secondary bathroom (which only has toilet facilities, not shower/bath), we went for a foot pedal. Since the sink there is purely used for washing your hands, we only have the "warm" water (pre-heated from waste water recovery). The foot pedal is the same type used in many hospitals and other medical facilities. At around 200 USD if purchased online, it is even cheaper than a regular faucet. From the foot pedal, I have a chrome tube from the floor, up through the sink, then two 90-degree angled joints, to direct the water downwards. This setup is awesome, works really well - and it looks so cool and clean (no faucet, just chrome tubing).
Next up was the utility room. The foot pedal comes in 4 versions from brand "Tempostop" (they also make other valves, like public shower timed valves). Choose between single feed or dual feed, floor mounted or wall mounted (all is on the floor, but where the bolts actually go, wall or floor). The dual feed means you have both hot and cold water. When at first you press the pedal, the flow will increase, with cold water. If you keep pressing it furhter down, it will mix in more hot water. It is so simple, and works brilliant. I have added a valve inside the sink enclosure, so I can regulate the flow. Unregulated, the water just bursts out and splashes all over. It is now set at a low rate. If I need more flow, I just turn this valve up.
This is the dual feed version:
Had I known about the foot pedal, I would have used them all around from the beginning. The foot pedal advantages are
Simple design and installation
Hands free operation, and no need to touch anything with your dirty hands
Saves faucet (offsets the cost)
No pre-set timing, you get water for just as long as you press the pedal
Press it harder, you get more water
Press it even harder, it gets more hot (for dual line installations)
Just like the accelerator in your car!
If you want even more control, put two pedals right next to each other (for hot and cold). As required, place one foot on either pedal, or both, and press down as required - for the flow. If the pedals are right next to each other, you can operate them even mixed, with one foot. Angle the foot to get the water colder/warmer, or ... use two feet if really required!