Smart Urinal Tech Revolutionizes Athlete Hydration Monitoring, Used by Top Football Clubs

A groundbreaking innovation originating from a team bus’s bathroom is set to revolutionize athlete performance monitoring. Spanish company Kamleon has developed an intelligent urinal system capable of measuring an athlete’s hydration levels in real-time, a technology already being adopted by elite sports clubs worldwide, including prominent football teams and professional cycling outfits.

The Caja Rural-Seguros RGA cycling team is showcasing this advanced system on their new bus during the Tour de France. Cyclist Joel Nicolau demonstrated the technology to MARCA, explaining how the urinal identifies individual riders and analyzes a urine sample within seconds to provide immediate hydration status. This data, accessible to the rider and the team’s staff, is crucial for managing hydration effectively during demanding three-week races.

Por que importa

Kamleon’s technology aims to transform a daily necessity into a valuable source of performance data. By offering quick, non-invasive insights, it allows athletes and their support teams to adjust hydration strategies on the fly, preventing dehydration and optimizing recovery.

Key facts

The system’s simplicity belies its significant impact. Athletes identify themselves on a screen before using the urinal. The device then analyzes the sample, displaying results instantly on the screen and transmitting them to the coaching staff. This immediate feedback allows for precise adjustments to fluid intake, particularly vital in conditions of heat, humidity, and intense physical exertion.

Contexto

Jordi Ferré, Kamleon’s founder and CEO, explained to MARCA that the idea stemmed from a clear need within elite sports for a simple yet effective way to monitor hydration. “We detected a need, which is the monitoring of hydration in high-level athletes, and we have basically been expanding into different teams,” Ferré stated.

The adoption of Kamleon’s technology extends across various top-tier football leagues, including England’s Premier League, Spain’s LaLiga, and Italy’s Serie A. Notably, Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr also utilizes the system. Barcelona FC began implementing the technology last season. In football, the system is often integrated into training facilities and stadium locker rooms, helping coaches and nutritionists fine-tune hydration plans before and after training sessions.

For cyclists, the application is equally pertinent, especially during Grand Tours. The ability to quickly assess hydration status after an effort or at any point during a stage provides critical information for immediate intervention. Ferré highlighted how the real-time feedback empowers athletes, allowing them to understand their hydration status and take necessary actions, with data also available to nutritionists and trainers.

While the system can operate anonymously, professional sports often benefit from individualized data. Ferré shared anecdotes of athletes initially hesitant to share personal results but who later embraced the system when they realized its benefit in optimizing their performance. The amount of fluid recommended can vary significantly based on an athlete’s body mass, training load, and competition demands.

Kamleon envisions its technology extending beyond professional sports, aiming to transform everyday bathrooms into hubs for health and wellness information. The goal is to provide data on hydration, recovery, nutrition, and prevention without requiring wearable devices. The immediate feedback from the urinal’s screen, coupled with the option for registered users to share data with health professionals, points towards a future where common objects contribute to overall well-being.

For the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team, the introduction of this advanced bus and its integrated hydration monitoring system represents a significant step in their preparation for what they hope will be a historic Tour de France. The focus on comfort, functionality, and technological solutions underscores the team’s commitment to optimizing every aspect of their riders’ performance.

Source: MARCA Futbol – https://www.marca.com/ciclismo/tour-francia/2026/07/06/revolucion-rendimiento-llega-bano-bus-chivato-caja-rural-grandes-clubes-deportivos-mundo.html