JAKARTA - The manufacturer of Aito vehicles under the auspices of Seres officially has a patent for a utility model entitled toilet in a vehicle with the publication number CN224104011U. The patent, which was filed on April 22, 2025, was approved on April 10, 2026 and is still valid until now, as reported by Sanyan Tech.
Based on the patent abstract, this system consists of a toilet unit and a sliding rail mechanism. The rail is fixed to the top of the toilet body, while the sliding rail is connected to the vehicle seat.
When needed, the toilet can be pulled out from under the seat, then stored back after use so that it does not significantly take up cabin space. In the international patent classification (IPC), this technology falls under the category of B60R15/04 which relates to sanitary devices on vehicles.
Although it sounds unusual and has provoked a joke reaction on the internet, the technical approach is considered serious, especially in terms of space efficiency. Modern vehicles, especially electric cars with a chassis space that is filled with batteries, face quite complex space limitations.
Therefore, embedding toilet facilities without sacrificing passenger comfort is a challenge in itself. The solution from Seres relies on empty space under the seat to hide the device completely, creating a functional "invisible" concept.
This approach is considered more advanced than previous ideas, as reported by Carnewschina, Wednesday, April 15. The Polestone company has introduced the concept of a portable toilet in the form of a stand that is stored in the center console and used with a disposable bag.
Meanwhile, the Seres design offers a more neat and integrated integration with vehicles. Even so, the road to mass production is still filled with challenges.
Some of them include arranging the disposal system in a narrow chassis, waste management, and the durability of the rail mechanism. In addition, ensuring that the system is completely airtight to prevent odors, which is increasingly complex in pure electric vehicles.
Apart from technical aspects, psychological factors are also an important consideration. Regardless of sealing and odor removal technology, not all users will feel comfortable using the toilet in the car.
Although there is no certainty about mass production, this feature is said to have the potential to be an additional option that consumers can choose. On the other hand, Aito's market performance is under the spotlight.
The Chinese manufacturer's flagship model, the Aito M9, has experienced a decline in sales for three consecutive months in China. Data from China EV DataTracker recorded the distribution of Aito M9 reaching 11,345 units, down 44.2 percent compared to the same period last year.
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