This toilet-mounted camera provides artificial gut intelligence

Throne, an Austin, Texas-based health startup, is making waves with a unique product — a toilet-mounted camera designed to analyze waste for health insights. The smart device uses artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate stool and urine, offering information about gut health and hydration levels.

Although it may sound unconventional, Throne's technology aims to transform a fundamental health-monitoring process by providing personalized insights straight from your toilet bowl.

How does it work?

Throne's innovative device clips onto the side of a toilet bowl, taking pictures of waste to collect data. Dubbed "artificial gut intelligence," the AI is trained by medical experts to identify various indicators of health — such as stool consistency and hydration clues from urine. The AI's findings can shed light on digestion, nutrition, and hydration patterns.

Security and privacy are understandably major concerns when it comes to a toilet camera. To address this, Throne has implemented a series of safety measures — including anonymizing images and using image recognition technology to filter out non-relevant content. As Throne states, "We only capture images of the contents of your toilet bowl," and users can request access to their data, which the company will delete upon request. All information is encrypted to ensure safety and anonymity.

Why does it matter?

The idea that we can gain valuable health information from our waste may seem unusual, but it's backed by science. According to Throne, our waste holds key insights into our overall well-being. For people with chronic digestive conditions — such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — tracking these metrics could be transformative. Throne's approach aligns with a broader movement in healthcare toward personalized, data-driven wellness, especially for older adults and those managing chronic digestive issues.

Throne's founders believe that analyzing toilet contents can be a more accurate measure of gut health than other metrics. As the company puts it, "We have a surprising amount to learn from our logs."

By using this device, users can potentially identify problems sooner and make more informed health decisions.

The context

Throne didn't always have its sights set on the smart toilet business. Initially, the startup focused on healthcare staffing, but it quickly discovered that the field was oversaturated. "Within six weeks, we came to the painful realization that the market was saturated and not a sandbox we wanted to play in," said CEO Scott Hickle. This revelation prompted Throne to pivot toward consumer hardware, specifically targeting health issues related to aging and chronic digestive conditions.

Currently in beta testing, Throne's smart toilet camera is available for preorder, priced at $299 for early adopters (the full retail price will be $499). Despite the unusual concept, Throne has secured funding from investors — such as Night Capital, Rief Ventures, and Hustle Fund — reflecting confidence in its potential impact on healthcare innovation.