Image: SeresHowever, a patent application does not necessarily mean the product will ever reach the market—it may simply serve to protect an idea. Additionally, Seres, known for its collaboration with Huawei on the premium brand Aito, has not yet issued any official statement or press release about the patent.Nevertheless, the authenticity of the patent application has been confirmed—see the sketch above. As CarNewsChina reports, Seres was granted a utility model patent for an ‘in-vehicle toilet’ on 10 April 2026 under the publication number CN224104011U, though the patent was originally filed on 22 April 2025.According to the patent summary, the invention primarily consists of two components: the toilet itself and a sliding rail mechanism. The sliding rail mechanism includes a rail fixed to the upper part of the toilet, while the rail itself is equipped with a device for attachment to the vehicle seat. When needed, the toilet can be pulled out from under the seat and pushed back compactly after use, as reported by CarNewsChina.The patent describes the toilet as featuring a ventilation system and an exhaust duct to direct unpleasant odours outside. A heating device is included to evaporate urine and dry any remaining waste. Additionally, there is a waste collection container that requires regular emptying.It remains unclear whether the in-vehicle toilet will ever be marketed. Chinese media suggest it could soon be offered as an optional extra, though no confirmation has been provided.The use case is also uncertain: for safety reasons, using the toilet while driving is likely not feasible. However, it may be intended for emergencies such as traffic jams, where no restroom is accessible.carnewschina.com, bbc.com