Throne is a fresh company with a small team of five people. Founded in 2023, the start-up, run by managing directors Scott Hickle and Tim Blumberg, has successfully secured $1.2 million in funding. They are now taking pre-orders for their toilet camera priced at $299, but this offer is limited to the United States. The initial shipment of these devices is expected in the spring of 2025. After the pre-order stage, the health gadget will be available for approximately $500.
Product Features
The camera is designed to be mounted on the toilet rim, capturing images of stool and urine. An AI, developed with the help of doctors, evaluates these images to provide insights about intestinal health and hydration levels. This "toilet camera" aims to identify food intolerances, evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics, and keep track of hydration. The technology is known as "artificial gut intelligence." Users can analyze the collected data through a dedicated app.
Privacy Concerns
If the toilet camera proves effective, it may play a significant role in detecting bowel diseases at an early stage. However, it does raise concerns regarding user privacy. The Throne team recognizes that being monitored in the bathroom is uncomfortable for many people.
The company assures users that their data will be anonymized and transmitted securely, employing TLS 1.2 encryption. Unnecessary recordings will be deleted automatically, and users can access their data or request its complete removal. Ultimately, it is up to each person to determine if the benefits of monitoring bowel health outweigh the discomfort of being surveilled in such a personal space as the bathroom.
