Forget fitness trackers; smart toilets are the latest tech to dive into your personal health data, using AI to analyze your poop for potential health insights.
The gut health market is booming, with companies betting that stool data can offer deep health insights, encourage lifestyle changes, and flag potential health issues. Brands like Kohler Health, selling a $449 device with a $130 annual family membership, and startup Throne, priced at $399 with a $70 annual membership, are leading the charge.
These sleek gadgets attach to your toilet and use cameras and sensors to record and analyze stool and urine consistency, color, and other metrics. The data is then processed by an AI-powered app, providing users with gut health and hydration scores. Unlike at-home microbiome test kits, which often lack robust scientific backing, these smart toilets aim to establish an individual's baseline for normal rather than making definitive "healthy or not" judgments.
While proponents highlight the value for individuals with chronic digestive conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, enabling easier tracking for doctors, gastroenterologists express skepticism about the current AI analysis. Dr. Daniel Freedberg notes that for healthy individuals, the insights might be minimal, stating, "If you want to look at your stool, you can just look at it yourself. I don't know that the AI is bringing a lot of new science to this."
Looking ahead, Throne plans to enhance its device to detect blood in feces using multispectral imaging, a feature that could potentially aid in early colorectal cancer detection. While this technology is still developing and pricing is undecided, the company aims for accessibility. Both Kohler Health and Throne claim their devices can alert users to the presence of blood, which can be an indicator of serious health conditions.
However, experts caution about the hefty price tag for these devices, questioning their affordability as widespread screening tools. Data privacy advocates also raise concerns about long-term subscriptions locking users into sharing their personal health information, which can include details beyond bathroom habits, such as diet and medication. While companies state they don't sell health data for targeted advertising, it may still be shared with third parties for operational purposes or in the event of a merger or sale.
