Image by Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd. on Unsplash
Most of us try not to think too hard about what happens in the toilet. But Kohler—yes, the bathroom and kitchen brand—is asking us to look a little closer. Actually, it wants its new gadget to do the looking for us.
Meet the Dekoda: a $599 toilet add-on with a camera that takes snapshots of what’s in the toilet bowl. It’s not here to judge—it’s designed to help you keep tabs on your gut health, hydration, and even potentially detect signs of blood in your stool.
Let’s break it down.
What is Dekoda?
The Dekoda is a small device that you attach to the inside of your toilet bowl. It includes:
- A camera that photographs what’s in the bowl after use
- Sensors that capture data related to your digestive health
- A rechargeable battery for wireless use
- A USB connection (likely for charging or data transfer)
- A fingerprint sensor so it can tell who’s using the toilet
In short, it’s a high-tech stool analyzer for your home bathroom.
So… Why Would Anyone Want This?
Image by Vika Strawberrika on Unsplash
Good question. Kohler is pitching Dekoda as a tool for proactive health tracking. By analyzing what your body discards, it hopes to give you insights into how your gut is doing, whether you’re hydrated enough, and if anything unusual (like blood) is present.
It might sound a bit invasive, but for people managing chronic digestive conditions—or anyone curious about their daily health—it could be a useful tool to catch issues early or just better understand their body.
What About Privacy?
Image by appshunter.io on Unsplash
You’re not alone if the idea of a toilet camera makes you uneasy. Kohler seems to know this and wants to calm fears.
They’ve said that the Dekoda’s sensors only “see down into your toilet and nowhere else.” In other words, the camera is focused on the water below—not on you. The collected data is encrypted end-to-end, according to the company, so your health info stays private.
How Much Does It Cost?
This kind of technology doesn’t come cheap. Dekoda is currently available for pre-order and costs $599 for the device itself. On top of that, Kohler is charging a subscription fee ranging from $70 to $156.
Shipments are set to begin October 21.
Who Else Is Doing This?
Kohler isn’t the only one exploring this idea. A startup called Throne is also working on toilet tech aimed at scanning stools for health purposes. Seems like the “smart bathroom” might be one of the next big tech frontiers.
Final Thoughts
Look, the idea of a toilet camera might feel odd or even laughable at first. But if it helps people get regular health insights in a private and convenient way, maybe there’s something valuable here. At the very least, it’s a step toward making at-home health monitoring more accessible—and a whole lot more personal.
Would you let a gadget analyze your bathroom trips for the sake of better health? You might soon have the option.
Keywords: toilet camera, Kohler Dekoda, health monitoring, smart home devices, privacy technology
