Throne, a health startup based in Austin, has introduced a unique product to the market – a smart toilet camera that takes photos of your waste. The camera clips onto the side of a toilet bowl and uses artificial intelligence to analyze your poop. The system, currently in beta, aims to provide insights into gut health and hydration levels.
The underlying technology behind Throne’s smart toilet camera is called “artificial gut intelligence.” This AI is trained by physicians to help users understand what their waste can reveal about their health. The company’s doctors look for various signs of health in waste matter, including nuances in urine that indicate hydration levels.
To address privacy and security concerns, Throne ensures that the images captured are anonymized. The company has implemented measures to safeguard user data, including automatic deletion of non-relevant images using image recognition technology. Users can request access to their data and have the option to delete it at any time. All data is encrypted on the company’s servers to protect user privacy.
Throne’s journey into the toilet camera business was unexpected. Originally a marketplace for healthcare staffing, the startup pivoted to consumer hardware after realizing the healthcare staffing market was saturated. With an initial investment of $1.2 million from investors like Night Capital, Rief Ventures, and Hustle Fund, Throne shifted its focus to developing the smart toilet camera.
The company targets the aging population and individuals with chronic digestive conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and IBS. Despite the initial skepticism around mounting a camera on a toilet, Throne’s system is now available for preorder after a limited beta. The smart toilet camera is priced at $499, but early adopters can purchase it for $299.
In conclusion, Throne’s innovative approach to using technology for health monitoring may revolutionize how we gather insights into our well-being. While the concept of a smart toilet camera may seem unconventional, the potential benefits for individuals with specific health conditions are promising. By leveraging artificial intelligence and image recognition technology, Throne aims to provide users with valuable information about their health through a simple and discreet device.
