Chinese Patent Reveals a Hidden Toilet Under the Passenger Seat

In the automotive world, some drivers aim for record lap times on racetracks, while others challenge their vehicles to climb rocks. But there is another group of drivers who find themselves in more urgent situations, needing a restroom during long trips. Responding to this need, a Chinese company has secured a patent for an unconventional innovation: a toilet inside the car.

A Strange but Important Idea

Seres, a subsidiary of Aito, has filed a patent application for a toilet that hides beneath the passenger seat. It can be pulled out manually or activated via voice commands. This invention is not designed for use while driving on highways; the driver must stop to use it. Despite the oddity of the concept, it offers a practical solution for frequent travelers who often face long queues at gas station restrooms.

Sliding In and Out of the Vehicle

According to local reports, the unit uses a drawer-like mechanism that allows it to slide in and out. Once finished, it disappears back under the seat, utilizing what was previously empty space. This clever design transforms unused area into a functional solution.

Innovation Includes a Fan for Odor Removal and Liquid Vaporization

Seres did not stop at a basic toilet. Reports indicate that the patent includes a fan and an exhaust system to expel unpleasant odors outside. Waste is collected in a removable tank that must be manually emptied. The innovation also features a heating element designed to dry solid waste and vaporize liquids. This solution appears far more advanced than the one offered by rival automaker Polestones, which relies on a plastic toilet seat that fits into an armrest pocket with a trash bag liner.

Why Would a Known Company Introduce This Innovation?

The domestic Chinese market is highly competitive, and brands are offering everything they can to attract buyers. Massage seats, karaoke functions, built-in refrigerators, giant screens, and reclining chairs are already common. If everyone is competing on infotainment systems, perhaps hygiene is the next battleground.

Production? Don't Expect Too Much

It remains to be seen whether this design will be used in future versions of models like the Seres 7 SUV. Many patents exist solely to test ideas or protect intellectual property, without necessarily reaching the production line.