Summary
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Dekoda is Kohler’s new smart device that monitors health through the toilet.
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The gadget analyzes waste and sends information to the Kohler Health app, with alerts about hydration and digestion.
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The product costs US$599 and is on pre-sale, but requires a monthly subscription to access the data collected.
Kohler, a company known for bathroom products, announced a new gadget to transform toilets into well-being monitoring centers, Dekoda. The device attaches to the edge of the toilet and uses sensors to analyze waste.
The gadget should provide information about the user’s hydration and intestinal health through an app. Dekoda is part of a new initiative by the company, which already has smart items for bathrooms, focused on “transforming the room into a connected and data-informed health and well-being center”.
How does the gadget work?
Dekoda can be installed on the rim of most toilets using a tool-free fastening mechanism. Most of the electronic components, and the removable magnetic battery for recharging, are on the outside.
In the internal part, facing the water, there are the optical sensors. The device uses spectroscopy to “observe how light interacts with your waste.” To ensure privacy, Kohler says the sensors are angled downwards, so they can only see what’s inside the bowl.
The company warns, however, that the device may not work well in dark-colored pots, where the lighting is reduced.
User identification
The system even has a remote control on the wall with a fingerprint sensor to differentiate who is using the bathroom, useful for homes with multiple residents. According to Kohler, the data sent to the app — which includes information about the frequency, consistency and format of waste — is protected by end-to-end encryption.
Based on the analysis, the Kohler Health app can alert the user to the need to drink more water or indicate how dietary changes are affecting digestion and nutrient absorption.
One of the most important functions is the detection of blood, which can be a symptom of more serious health problems. The app must notify the user discreetly, encouraging the search for a doctor.
How much does it cost?
The Kohler Dekoda is on pre-sale for US$599 (around R$3,200, in direct conversion), with shipping expected from October 21st. However, to have functional use of the tool, it is necessary to continue paying: access to the collected data is only possible with a subscription to the Kohler Health service.
The individual plan costs US$6.99 (R$37) per month or US$70 (R$376) per year. The family plan, which accommodates up to five users, costs US$12.99 (R$69.80) monthly or US$130 (R$698) annually. The app is only available for iOS, but an Android version should arrive soon.
With information from The Verge
Source: https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/este-dispositivo-transforma-vasos-sanitarios-em-smart-e-analisa-o-seu-coco/
