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A Chinese automaker has taken a unique step toward comfort on the road by securing a patent for a voice-activated in-car toilet that slides out from beneath a passenger seat.
Chongqing-based Seres filed the patent application, numbered CN224104011U, in April 2025, with official authorization granted earlier this month. The innovative design aims to meet the needs of travelers during long drives, camping trips, or extended stays inside their vehicles.
The compact toilet system is activated by voice command and features a waste tank equipped with a rotating heating element to evaporate urine and dry solid waste. To maintain freshness, an exhaust fan manages odors effectively.
While Seres has yet to announce plans to install this on-the-go toilet in any production models, the concept adds to a growing trend of automotive convenience features. For instance, competitor Polestone previously introduced a portable toilet with a folding seat that fits into the center console and uses plastic bags for waste.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time vehicles have incorporated unusual restroom features; a 1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Limousine sold at a Sotheby’s auction featured a gold-plated toilet that had been repurposed as a champagne cooler.
As the boundaries of automotive luxury and convenience expand, Seres’ in-vehicle toilet patent might signal a new frontier for road-trip amenities.