Chinese Car Maker Patents Voice-Controlled Onboard Toilet

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Seres has been granted a patent in China for an in-vehicle toilet system that can be activated by voice command or a physical button, according to a filing with the China National Intellectual Property Administration dated April 10, 2026.

The patent describes a toilet unit designed to slide out from beneath a passenger seat when activated, allowing occupants to use the facility during long journeys, while camping, or when parked in the vehicle. The system is intended to address personal hygiene needs without requiring occupants to exit the car.

When deployed, the toilet includes a fan and exhaust pipe to channel odors outside the vehicle, as specified in the patent documentation reviewed by the BBC. Waste is collected in a removable tank that must be emptied manually after use.

The system also incorporates a rotating heating element intended to evaporate urine and dry solid waste, reducing the frequency of tank maintenance. When not in use, the toilet unit retracts and is concealed beneath the seat, preserving cabin space.

Seres, headquartered in Chongqing, is known for producing high-end electric vehicles under its Aito sub-brand. The company has not announced any production models featuring the in-vehicle toilet, and it remains uncertain whether the patented design will be implemented in future vehicles.

The patent filing notes that while in-vehicle toilets are uncommon in passenger cars, they are not without precedent. Historical examples include a 1950s Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith model that reportedly featured a television and toilet beneath the passenger seat, according to auction house Sotheby’s.

Seres joins a trend among Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers to differentiate their products through unconventional interior features. Other innovations currently available in some models include built-in massage seats, karaoke systems, and refrigeration units.