Chinese Car Maker Patents Voice-Controlled In-Vehicle Toilet

Chinese carmaker Seres has secured a patent for an 'in-vehicle toilet', conceived to address the needs of occupants during extended journeys, camping, or while staying within the vehicle. Filed in China on 10th April, the patent outlines a compact lavatory that deploys from under a passenger's seat via a push mechanism or voice command.

This unconventional amenity is part of a broader trend among Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to integrate unique features, such as massage seats, karaoke systems, and refrigerators, in a bid to differentiate themselves within a fiercely competitive market.

Design and Functionality

The patent details reveal that the toilet will incorporate a fan and exhaust pipe for efficient odour management, channelling smells directly outside the vehicle. Waste is collected in a tank that requires manual emptying. Furthermore, the system includes a rotating heating element specifically designed to evaporate urine and dry other waste, maximising hygiene and space efficiency. When not in use, the unit remains discreetly concealed beneath the seat, ensuring it does not impinge on interior space.

While in-vehicle toilets are uncommon in standard cars, they are occasionally seen in long-distance coaches and have appeared in luxury vehicles, such as a bespoke 1950s Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith. Seres, known for its electric sport utility vehicles, primarily operates in mainland China but has expanded into European, Middle Eastern, and African markets. The intensely saturated Chinese EV market has led to significant price competition, making innovative features like this crucial for standing out. Seres is one of the few Chinese EV firms to report a profit amidst concerns over the viability of many other companies in the sector.