Éric Carreel and Alice Epaule in Withings. Photo: Stian Sønsteng
Withings launches U-Scan internationally. The system that combines high technology and chemistry for urine-based health tracking - directly from the toilet.
Éric Carreel, chairman and co-founder of Withings, says the launch is the result of ten years of work. The idea arose after a meeting with a urologist, who urged them to use urine as a source of health data. Urine contains over 3,000 metabolites, substances formed in the body's metabolism, and provides insight into the body's condition without the need for invasive methods such as blood tests or surgery.
- Our goal is not just to live longer, but to live longer in good health. To achieve this, we must move from reactive to proactive health technology, says Carreel, when we meet him at the Withings launch event in Paris at the end of October. Travel and accommodation for the trade magazine Elektronikkbransjen are paid for by Withings.
Carreel believes that today's healthcare is not sustainable if you wait until people become seriously ill. Withings is therefore investing in continuous measurement and personalised follow-up, including through Withings Plus.
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- U-Scan is an important part of this transformation, and we are proud to present it globally, says Carreel.
The test cartridge on the left consists of 22 small pieces of paper, which are exposed to urine and read by a camera. Photo: Stian Sønsteng
From CES to launch
U-Scan is shown for the first time in January 2023, at the CES fair in Las Vegas. After a soft launch in 2024, the product undergoes extensive testing.
- This was a way for us to reach out to people with the first readers and systems, to see how they worked and how people used them, before today's global launch, says product manager Constantin Krempp.
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The system consists of a reader and cartridges, each providing 22 measurements. The device is placed in the toilet, collects urine samples automatically, and analyses them with AI algorithms.
- The device looks small, but it combines mechanics, electronics, software, artificial intelligence, chemistry, and fluid mechanics. We even have our own chemistry department at Withings, says Krempp.
The urine stream must hit the device, which is placed in the toilet. A sensor registers the temperature change and activates a pump. A microfluidic system collects about 200 microlitres of urine, which is directed to small pieces of paper inside the cartridge. These react and change colour based on the biomarkers. A camera takes pictures, and AI algorithms analyse the data.
Constantin Krempp says U-Scan combines mechanics, electronics, software, artificial intelligence, chemistry, and fluid mechanics. Photo: Stian Sønsteng
- Our strips are always in the same ratio, and this gives us large amounts of data to train our AI algorithms. The result is more reliable and practical. You don't need to use your hands - the device stands in the toilet and works automatically, says Krempp to the trade magazine Elektronikkbransjen.
Two cartridges at launch
Withings launches two cartridges: Nutrio, developed for people who want to keep up with health and general nutrition - including athletes - and Calci, which is made to track the risk of kidney stones.
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The cartridges last from one to three months. The charging station is used for both wireless charging and cleaning, and gloves are included for hygienic handling.
U-Scan starts the measurement when the stream hits the device. Photo: Stian Sønsteng
- You place the device in the charging station, which is connected to power via USB-C. You add water and a cleaning powder, which comes with each cartridge, says Krempp.
The starter kit with reader and charger costs 4,100 kronor, while the test equipment is sold in subscription packages for three months. Proactive costs 1,200 while Intensive costs 2,100 kronor.
The starter pack with reader and charger costs 4,100 kronor. Photo: Stian Sønsteng
One user per device
The system is made for one person, and is activated via bluetooth on the mobile.
- If another person uses the toilet without activating U-Scan, nothing happens, says Krempp.
Carreel emphasizes that U-Scan is part of the company's vision to move health tracking out of the hospital and into everyday life.
- What I'm trying to explain is that health should be out of the hospital and the doctor's office. To achieve that, we need data and measurements that are very easy to take. Otherwise, users will not do it, says Carreel to the trade magazine Elektronikkbransjen.
U-Scan is set to replace traditional measurement methods. Photo: Stian Sønsteng
Withings was founded in France in 2008 and according to their own website, launched the world's first wifi-connected bathroom scale the following year. Today, they offer blood pressure monitors, smartwatches, thermometers, and sleep monitoring systems.
- We want Withings to be the company that helps everyone track their health in everyday life, says Carreel.
The article was previously published in the print edition of the trade magazine Elektronikkbransjen no. 6/2025, which was distributed in week 48. Here you can read the article and browse through the digital edition of the magazine. You can read all editions of the magazine digitally, from issue no. 1/1937, at elektronikkbransjen.no/historiskarkiv.
