Smart toilet companies leverage AI for health monitoring

Companies including Throne Science, TOTO, Kohler, Vivoo, and Withings are developing AI-powered smart toilets and attachments designed to monitor digestive and urinary health. These devices use sensors, computer vision, and AI to analyze waste characteristics such as color, volume, shape, and the presence of blood or hydration levels.

Throne Science, co-founded by WHOOP co-founder John Capodilupo, recently secured $10 million in Series A funding for its Throne One device. TOTO has launched its 'Stool Scan' in Japan and plans to introduce it to the U.S. market by early 2027. Kohler's Dekoda aims to detect blood and dehydration, while Withings' U-Scan focuses on urine analysis.

Medical experts note that these tools can provide more objective data for doctors than patient memory, which may assist in managing conditions like constipation or IBS. However, experts warn that current technology is primarily for health management rather than medical diagnosis. There is a risk of users over-interpreting normal biological fluctuations, and the companies note that formal diagnostic use would require regulatory approval from bodies such as the FDA.