Poop cameras are the new health fad. Are they simply a waste? – Firstpost

Let’s be honest, most of us don’t really want to look at what’s inside the toilet bowl. But apparently, that’s about to change.

Bathroom brand Kohler has unveiled a smart toilet camera (yup, you read that right) that actually analyses what you flush.

Called Dekoda, this tiny device uses sensors and AI to study your waste and offer health insights. It’s part of Kohler Health’s new plan to turn bathrooms into “connected wellness hubs,” where your toilet could help track your health just like a smartwatch does. It costs Rs 55,722 (approx USD 599).

But how does this poop camera actually work, and more importantly, do we really need one? Here’s a closer look.

How does it work?

The device, shaped like a small curved pod, clips neatly onto the rim of your toilet and quietly does its job, analysing whatever you flush.

Using built-in sensors and light-based algorithms, the camera scans your waste to detect signs linked to hydration and gut health. Kohler claims it can even pick up early warnings such as traces of blood, helping users spot potential health issues before they become serious.

The Dekoda system comes with three parts: the smart sensor itself, a magnetic charging dock, and a wall-mounted remote that includes a fingerprint scanner to tell users apart.

All the collected data is synced to the Kohler Health app, which interprets the results and provides health insights. However, it doesn’t come cheap, subscriptions start at around Rs 580 per month for individuals, or Rs 1,100 per month for families with up to five members. As of now, the tracker is not available in India yet.

At the moment, the app is available only for iOS users, though an Android version is expected to roll out soon, something that may put off a large number of potential buyers.

Also read:
How often do you poop in a day? Here’s what it means for your health

What about privacy concerns?

Privacy is understandably the biggest concern when it comes to a camera that literally watches your toilet.

Kohler assures users that Dekoda’s sensors only “see down into your toilet and nowhere else.” The gadget attaches to most toilet bowls using an adjustable clamp, with all the main electronics sitting safely outside.

Inside the bowl, a discreet camera and light sensors are carefully angled to avoid capturing anything beyond what’s necessary for analysis.

The device starts working as soon as a user decides to “start the session”, with the tap of their fingerprint. “Right at the time when your urine hits the water level of the toilet, the camera will start flashing its LED light,” Kash Kapadia, Kohler Health CEO, told The Guardian.

The pictures then get uploaded to Kohler’s cloud and are analysed through “proprietary algorithms”, which take about three to five minutes to process before the results are visible on the user’s app.

All data is end-to-end encrypted, and the system can only be activated after a user logs in through the fingerprint-enabled remote, ensuring results remain private and personal.

Rather than taking random images, Dekoda tracks your bathroom patterns over time, analysing factors like frequency, consistency, and shape to give insights into hydration, digestion, and nutrient absorption.

If the system detects something worrying, such as traces of blood, it sends a quiet, private alert through the app, prompting users to check in with a doctor before things worsen.

“Instead of flushing away vital clues, Dekoda can help translate your body’s signals into information and insights you can use to live healthier every day,” Kohler’s Advisory Board Member, Dr Justin Ko said.

Dekoda’s rechargeable battery connects via USB, and the company cautions it doesn’t work that efficiently on darker-coloured toilets.

While the current model focuses on visual and hydration analysis, Kohler hints that future models could even explore smell sensors or cleaning alerts.

Also read:
Using your mobile while you poop can give you piles

So, should you buy?

If you’re genuinely curious about your gut health and want to track your body’s signals more closely, Dekoda might sound like a smart investment.

“People think waste is something you flush away, but it really contains a lot of insights about us,” said Kapadia. “It literally comes from us, and now we can study it in a way that doesn’t require you to handle it.”

Doctors have long used the Bristol stool scale, a chart that classifies stool types into seven categories — with types three and four (“like a sausage but with cracks” or “smooth and soft”) considered the healthiest. The chart helps diagnose conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which has recently seen growing openness and awareness.

Still, not everyone is convinced a smart toilet is necessary.

Ashley Oswald, a dietitian from Minneapolis, pointed out that gut bacteria can change within just two days of a new diet. “Is it even that useful to know about the bacteria in your stool when it could all change within two days?” she asked. “We’re losing sight of the basics when we chase trends. It’s interesting and fun to track your poop, but how many people are eating enough fibre or being active?”
With input from agencies