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Experts predict that an $8,000 toilet, complete with smart technology that can identify a health problem, will be available in the U.S. by the end of 2019.

Japanese companies have been selling these high-tech toilets since the 1980s, but they haven't been popular in the rest of the world, until now. According to Forbes reporting, kitchen and bath supplier Kohler just announced an "intelligent toilet" with features that include LED lights that can change color; built-in Amazon Alexa so the user can inquire about the weather, ask questions and play their favorite tunes; hands-free, motion-activated (and heated) lid; Bluetooth; bidet and dryer.

In the case of a power outage, the toilet has an emergency flush feature.

In addition to such novelty features, smart toilets can help monitor users' health. One toilet seat developed by the Rochester Institute of Technology contains devices that measure blood oxygenation levels, heart rate, and blood pressure to signal when someone is at risk for congestive heart failure.

One of the first smart toilets that could monitor health indicators was created in the early 2000s. It was able to monitor sugar levels in urine, check body weight, temperature and hormone levels. It could transmit the data to computers and doctors who could advise about fertility.

Another toilet can measure urine flow by monitoring the water level in the toilet.