DFree
Category: AI in Healthcare
World's first wearable excretion prediction device using ultrasonic sensors and AI to predict urination and defecation timing DFree was founded in 2015. The company is led by Atsushi Nakanishi (中西 敦士). Based in Tokyo, Japan. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $29M. Latest round: Crowdfunding. Key investors include Maezawa Fund (Yusaku Maezawa), Nissei Capital, 2020 (Foxconn/Hon Hai fund), SBI Investment, Mizuho Capital, Daiwa Corporate Investment, iSGS Investment Works, Rivamp, JMTC Capital, FLAG-VENTURES, YUKARIA, TOPPAN Holdings.
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- Tokyo, Japan
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- $29M
Value proposition
DFree uses a non-invasive ultrasonic sensor worn on the lower abdomen to continuously monitor bladder fullness and predict excretion timing via AI algorithms, sending notifications to a smartphone app. It reduces diaper costs by 50%, saves up to 150 hours/month in care time, and improves toileting success rates from 15% to 83.5%.
Products and solutions
DFree Personal (individual/home use), DFree Professional (facility/institutional use with multi-patient dashboard), DFree Slim (lightweight 20g model), DFree Ben (bowel movement detection), DFree HomeCare (covered by Japan's long-term care insurance)
Unique value
World's first wearable device that predicts both urination AND defecation timing using non-invasive ultrasound + AI, enabling proactive toileting rather than reactive diaper changing
Target customer
Elderly care facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, home caregivers, disabled individuals, children in toilet training, active seniors with incontinence concerns
Industries served
Elderly care, healthcare, disability support, childcare (toilet training)
Technology advantage
Miniaturized medical-grade ultrasound technology combined with proprietary AI algorithms for bladder detection; 10 patents granted + 6 pending; 5 generations of hardware iteration since 2015; Japan's long-term care insurance (Kaigo Hoken) designated product since 2022
How they differentiate
Only device with both urination AND defecation prediction; covered by Japan's national long-term care insurance; 383 facilities deployed with proven ROI data; 5 generations of hardware refinement; FDA pathway in progress
Main competitors
Novioscan (SENS-U Kids), Lir Scientific (Brightly - defunct), Traditional incontinence products (diapers, pads)
Key partnerships
Foxconn (2020 fund) - manufacturing & Asia expansion, SOMPO Care Next - 116 facilities, Korian (Europe) - clinical trials in France, Econavista (ライフリズムナビ+Dr.) - system integration, YUKARIA [286A] - capital & business alliance, Paramount Bed HD - 眠りCONNECT system integration (from Feb 2026), Will Group [6089] - Nordic/Denmark care-solution PoC (2026), TOPPAN Holdings, Asahi Group Japan, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical
Notable customers
SOMPO Care Next (116 facilities), Korian (Europe), UC San Francisco (clinical trial partner)
Major milestones
2015: Founded, 2017: First DFree product launch + Professional service, 2018: J-Startup certified by METI, 2019: CES Innovation Awards + Best of CES, 2022: Designated under Japan's long-term care insurance, 2023: Series D total ¥1B (~$7.4M equity+debt) led by Maezawa Fund; cumulative ~¥3.5B, 2024: Renamed from Triple W Japan to DFree, 2025: 5th generation DFree Slim launched; FUNDINNO PLUS+ ~¥840M, 2026-03: Type 2 medical device manufacturing/sales license (第二種医療機器製造販売業 13B2X10651), 2026-07: 383 facilities deployed, 2026-08: FUNDINNO equity crowdfunding closed at ¥13.68M
Growth metrics
383 facilities deployed (as of July 2026); 50% reduction in diaper costs; 150 hours/month reduction in care time; 83.5% toileting success rate (from 15% baseline)
Market positioning
First-mover and market leader in AI-powered excretion prediction wearables globally; J-Startup certified by METI; expanding from Japan to US and Europe
Geographic focus
Japan (home market, 383 facilities), US (DFree USA San Diego), Europe (France/Germany; Nordic/Denmark PoC via Will Group), Taiwan PoC (2026 LTCI reform), Asia via Foxconn
Patents and IP
10 patents held, 6 pending (as of July 2026)
About Atsushi Nakanishi (中西 敦士)
Ex-Consulting Firm (Healthcare new business development); JICA Philippines (village income improvement project); UC Berkeley MBT program; Keio University (B.Commerce)
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Official website: https://dfree.co.jp