LAS VEGAS, January 5, 2026 — Forget smart thermostats and fitness trackers. The biggest tech trend at CES 2026 isn’t about *adding* gadgets to your life, but reimagining your home as a proactive health hub. For over a decade, experts have predicted the home’s potential to bolster well-being, and that future is now firmly in the present.
The Bathroom Becomes a Bio Lab
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Consumers are increasingly turning to in-home technologies for preventative health monitoring, and the bathroom is emerging as a key location for data collection.
The idea of a “home health hub” isn’t new. It was a topic of discussion at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, but the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically accelerated the trend. Suddenly, homes became spaces for medical care, fitness, and virtual check-ups. And those habits stuck. Now, companies are focusing on integrating health technology seamlessly into everyday spaces, from the kitchen to the bedroom—and especially the bathroom.
Kohler is leading the charge with its new Dekoda, a smart toilet accessory designed to collect personal health data. The company, celebrating 150 years of innovation, launched the Kohler Health division in 2025 to focus on this emerging market.
At CES 2026, I had the opportunity to speak with Kash Kapadia, CEO of Kohler Health, and Nora Tophof, the company’s Executive Director-Head of Business. I first met Kapadia in 2019 at the Health 2.0 Conference when he was launching Anchor Health, a startup focused on patient engagement and self-management.
How Does It Work?
Dekoda is a Wi-Fi-enabled camera that attaches inside the toilet rim, analyzing the contents of the bowl. The device, developed over three years with Kapadia as employee #1, uses a combination of optics, spectroscopy, and sensors to assess gut health, hydration levels, and even detect the presence of blood. The technology was tested with 850 users in the U.S., generating over a million data points to train its algorithms.
Dekoda’s design is streamlined and discreet, clamping securely to most standard toilet sizes. It connects to iOS and Android apps, providing users with personalized health insights.
The device has already received positive attention, earning a recommendation from Good Housekeeping, which published a review in November 2025, stating that “Kohler’s Dekoda is worth a shot.”
The Future of the Home Health Hub
Kohler Health’s vision is to transform the bathroom into the central hub for health and wellness in the home. While not exhibiting at #CES2026, many other companies are showcasing innovations aimed at creating a more health-conscious living environment. The momentum behind the home health hub is building, and consumer adoption is steadily increasing since the initial concept was explored at the 2011 CES.
What innovations at CES 2026 are catching your eye? Share your thoughts on what makes a home health technology truly useful, beautifully designed, and valuable.
