I think you may have a problem with the lift speed.  It only takes a short time for a human to lift the seat, while a mechanism would be instrinsically slower.  Otherwise it would smack into the toilet back.  Perhaps a device with a manual lift, but automatically lowers itself?  You could use one of those eye mechanisms that make it flush automatically and as soon as the guy steps away...

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I think I could overcome this problem by using pneumatics with suitable damper rams. I have experience & some expertise in this area. It would be much easier all round if all females were given compulsory instruction in the art of raising & lowering toilet seats from an early age. This is not difficult. If we can do it so can they. 8)

there are a few toilets on planes that use half your idea Hagar, it has something that keeps it from slamming down no matter how hard you try to throw it:) if you can add a simple mechanism to it to make it work automatically there ya go

Ok. You all know about those spring hinges, for a door? Why not just screw that in to the bottom, and the top of the seat? When your done, it folds down. But, make sure it's not one of those really strong ones, that would snap the lid into your ass.

Well now over here in the Colony we being somewhat middle class ourselves (now I am not braggin mind you or complaining) well we have a three holer.
One for her, one for me and a smaller one for the wee ones.
I can't understand this lid thing, we don't got no lids.
How do your flys get in and out.?
There's a five inch knot hole on the North easterly side from which the wind blows...no problem getting hands dry...just hold them up to the hole.
Lots of newspapers to...Like I say...read em, use em and recycle em back down the hole.

This towel thing I don't understand either....I just bring a wack of them paper towels home from the hangar every day.  We use em once and take out to the three holer and wipe down the cobwebs...then down the hole.

The ole girl is realy going to be surprised this Christmas,
yup...bought her a new washer and dryer.
Got it on sale too at the Co-op...500 feet of cloths line and a new scrub board.

Well Happy Landings...Cheers Doug

LMAO Doug. That's the answer. I remember such things from my childhood. Fond memories most of 'em too although a tad chilly round the nether regions at this time of year.  Mind you, being poor we could only afford a "one holer" for everyone in the family. You had to make the best of it & especially if you were on the small side be extra careful not to overbalance & disappear down the hole. On this happy note I shall now depart for my bed with a smile on my face.

If you don't include the Hydraulic dampers you could market it to certain religious groups as an automatic circumcision device.