Smart toilet uses AI to analyze poop for health alerts

A new wave of "smart toilets" from brands like TOTO and Throne are using AI to analyze your poop and pee in real time, turning everyday bathroom trips into health check-ups.

These toilets use cameras, sensors, and machine learning to detect changes in stool shape, color, and consistency, as well as urine color and flow—tracking everything from hydration levels to signs of digestive issues or infections. The data is then sent to an app, offering users personalized insights into gut health and potential early warnings for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or urinary tract infections. Companies say the goal is to make preventative health monitoring as routine as brushing your teeth.

The trend is part of a broader push toward "digital health" and preventive care, fueled by advances in AI and affordable sensor technology. Consumers are increasingly open to tracking vitals at home, from smartwatches to glucose monitors, and toilets are the next frontier. Startups like ToTo and Casen have already rolled out AI-powered models in Japan and the U.S., while research shows gut health is linked to everything from immunity to mental well-being. Privacy concerns, though, are a major hurdle—storing bathroom data raises questions about who owns it and how it’s used.

Next up, these toilets could integrate with electronic health records, letting doctors review trends between visits. Critics warn about data misuse or over-reliance on AI for diagnoses. But if the tech gains trust, it could shift medicine from reactive to proactive—catching problems before symptoms appear. The bathroom, long ignored in health tech, may soon be the most important room in the house.