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technology12h ago
Chinese carmaker Seres patents voice-controlled "in-vehicle toilet"
Bbc.com and 2 more
- Seres has secured a patent in China for an onboard in-vehicle toilet that slides out from under a passenger seat to serve long journeys, camping, or in-car use, reflecting the brand's push for luxury or practical features in EVs.
- The new reference confirms Seres’ basic design: a bottom-seat slide-out unit operable by push or voice commands, aligning with a trend of voice-activated, premium features in Chinese EVs.
- Odour management is addressed with a fan and exhaust system to vent smells outside the car, an essential detail for in-vehicle toilets in confined spaces.
- Waste handling involves a manually emptied tank and a rotating heating element that evaporates urine and dries other waste, indicating practical maintenance considerations.
- When not in use, the toilet is concealed beneath the seat to maximize cabin space without compromising interior footprint.
- The reference notes the broader market context: China’s saturated EV market heightens competition and profitability pressures for features like onboard toilets.
- Exclusive reference detail positions Seres among a wave of luxury-oriented Chinese EV features, including voice-controlled amenities, to differentiate in a crowded market.
- The reference reiterates Seres’ core profile: a Chongqing-based EV maker known for SUVs under Seres and Aito, with most sales in China and some international expansion.
- Analysts warn that many Chinese EV firms face risk of collapse, underscoring the fragility of ambitious in-car feature rollouts amid market saturation and profitability pressures.
- There remains no confirmed production plan for vehicles with in-car toilets, aligning with earlier BBC notes on uncertainty about commercial viability.
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