A Chinese car manufacturer has unveiled one of the most unusual automotive concepts in recent years, after securing a patent for an "in-vehicle toilet" designed to be built directly into future cars.
Carmaker granted patent for hidden 'in-vehicle toilet'
The system has been developed by Seres, a Chongqing-based company, which says the feature is intended to make long journeys more convenient.
According to the patent filing, seen by the BBC, the built-in toilet is designed to "satisfy users' toilet needs on long journeys, while camping or while staying in the car".
The concept involves a compact unit that slides out from beneath the passenger seat, either via a button or voice command. When not in use, the toilet remains hidden, allowing the vehicle interior to retain its normal layout without sacrificing space. The toilet is installed on the passenger side only, meaning it cannot be used by the driver while the vehicle is in motion, which helps avoid obvious safety issues.
The design includes several features intended to keep the system practical and hygienic, with waste collected in a sealed storage tank that must be emptied manually, while a fan and exhaust pipe channel odours outside the vehicle. A rotating heating element is also included to evaporate liquid waste and dry solids.
Even with the patent in place, Seres has not confirmed any plans to bring the system into production, and it remains unclear if the feature would ever make it into real cars. It is also unknown whether it would be a high-end extra or something offered more widely.
The company currently sells the majority of its vehicles in mainland China but has expanded its presence into Europe, the Middle East and Africa, suggesting any future innovations could have an international reach.