Throne, a health tech startup headquartered in Austin, Texas, has introduced a unique product: a smart camera that clips onto the edge of a toilet to capture and analyze users' excrement. Currently in the testing phase, the system utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze stool samples, assessing users' gut health and body hydration levels.
Throne Official Screenshot
Throne refers to its core technology as "Artificial Gut Intelligence." According to the company, this AI system, trained by doctors, helps users understand the health information conveyed by their waste. Doctors look for various health signs in the waste, including subtle differences in urine to determine hydration levels.
Regarding potential privacy concerns, Throne has issued a "Privacy and Security" statement. The company emphasizes that the camera only captures images of the substances inside the toilet. "We only capture images of the contents within the toilet bowl; any other data is unrelated to our mission and could potentially affect our ability to provide accurate health insights." The system uses image recognition technology to automatically delete any irrelevant images, ensuring that only data related to excretion is retained. All data is encrypted on the company's servers using TLS1.2 or higher, and users can view their data or request complete deletion.
Throne Official Screenshot
Throne's founders initially had no intention of venturing into the "toilet camera" field. CEO Scott Hickle revealed to TechCrunch that Throne started as a medical personnel recruitment platform. After securing $1.2 million in funding from investors including Night Capital, Rief Ventures, and Hustle Fund, the company realized the market was saturated and decided to pivot, developing consumer hardware products instead.
Throne's target audience includes the elderly and individuals suffering from chronic digestive diseases such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. Following limited testing, the product is now available for pre-order. The regular retail price is $499, but early buyers can take advantage of a discounted price of $299.