Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Seres has secured a patent for an innovative "in-vehicle toilet" designed to slide discreetly beneath passenger seats, responding to voice commands or manual pushes for on-the-go convenience.
According to patent documents filed with China's intellectual property administration on April 10, the system aims to address bathroom needs during extended road trips, camping excursions, or extended periods spent in vehicles. Engineers described a compact unit that maximizes interior space by remaining hidden when not in use.
"The feature is meant to satisfy users' toilet needs on long journeys, while camping or while staying in the car," the patent filing states.
The patented design incorporates several practical elements: a ventilation system with a fan and exhaust pipe to manage odors, a waste collection tank requiring manual emptying, and a rotating heating component that evaporates urine and dries solid waste. This represents another unconventional feature in China's competitive EV market, where manufacturers have increasingly differentiated their vehicles with amenities like built-in massage seats, karaoke systems, and refrigerators.
Seres, headquartered in Chongqing and known for its Aito-brand electric SUVs, has not announced plans to implement the toilet in production vehicles. The company primarily operates in mainland China but has expanded to European, Middle Eastern, and African markets.
While uncommon in passenger cars, in-vehicle toilets have historical precedent. Auction house Sotheby's documented a 1950s Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith limousine that featured both a television and a toilet beneath the passenger seat.
This innovation emerges amid intense competition in China's EV sector, where market saturation has triggered price wars that pressure profitability. Seres remains among the few Chinese EV makers reporting profits, alongside industry leader BYD, as analysts warn of potential consolidation within the crowded industry.