It is rare that un(p)rete branding and translation into our language coincides so perfectly with a technological story, as is the case with the recently published patent of the Chinese car manufacturer Seres. Their brand name, although we would expect it to be tweaked or changed for markets in our region, has remained as it is (but so has the Ford Kuga…), and this month – ironically – the company applied for a patent in China for “in-vehicle toilet” technology.
Seres toilet with voice control
According to the patent application, filed with China’s Intellectual Property Administration on April 10 (not April 1), the system is designed to meet the physiological needs of users during long trips, camping or being in the car. Although the patent has been approved, the company has not yet announced the specific models in which this system will be found, so it remains uncertain whether the idea will enter serial production (it would be appropriate if the model with this innovation was called Seres #2, but we doubt that they will accept our idea).
The move comes at a time when China’s electric vehicle market is going through a phase of extreme competitiveness. In order to stand out, manufacturers install more and more unusual accessories in cars, such as karaoke systems, refrigerators and massage seats. Seres’ patent design envisages a compact toilet unit that is activated by mechanical pressure or a voice command, after which the toilet is pulled out from the lower part of the passenger seat by means of a sliding mechanism.
They also thought about hygiene
The engineering solution is focused on maximum use of space without disturbing the comfort of the cabin. The toilet unit is conceived as a drawer built into the cabin floor that disappears when not in use. It is important to note that the patent is intended exclusively for the passenger side, which prevents the driver from using the system while driving.
In the documentation, the engineers elaborated the waste management system in detail in order to ensure hygiene standards inside the vehicle. To solve the problem of unpleasant odors, the system includes a fan and an exhaust pipe that takes the odors outside the car. Waste would be collected in a container that requires manual emptying, and the innovation also includes a rotating heating element. Its function is to evaporate liquid and dry other waste, which reduces the volume of accumulated substances.
This approach shows that, despite the unusual concept, it was a serious engineering planning of the system’s functionality. In an industry where every centimeter of the interior is carefully planned, Seres strives to offer a solution for specific situations such as traffic jams or being in nature – and implementation will likely depend on both market reaction and the technical challenges of installing a squat under the seat.