Australia is blessed with a network of relatively clean and accessible public toilets right across the country, even in regional areas.

But that isn’t the case in other parts of the world, and Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brand Seres has come up with a solution to help those who might find themselves in a desperate situation.

As reported by Car News China, Seres has patented a toilet that lives under the passenger seat – with voice activation available for those who don’t want to get their hands dirty, per a Carscoops report.

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According to the patent illustration, the toilet is mounted on a rail under the seat, providing easy access for those who aren’t confident of making it to their destination.

The deposits go into a removable tank that needs to be removed and emptied manually.

Seres has also included a heating element – presumably in the tank – to evaporate liquids and dry solids, and an exhaust fan to eject unpleasant aromas from the cabin.

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From the looks of the patent illustrations, the toilet appears to have been designed for those who prefer to squat, rather than sit.

The toilet appears to be somewhat more sophisticated than the solution offered by rival Rox Motors, which allows its centre console to double as a loo in an emergency.

As reported by CarExpert in February 2026, the box can be used with a specific plastic bag with deodorising and absorbent gel.

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

The centre console toilet is part of a selection of features and accessories created for camping, including a tailgate kitchen, electricity outlets, and an inflatable mattress.

It all seems to be the result of an arms race of sorts between emerging car companies in China, with each brand attempting to offer the greatest number of features including larger screens, seat massaging, and on-board karaoke systems.

MORE: Toilet-equipped electric luxury SUV edges towards Australia