Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

Tiny Vinyl’s $50 record player makes collecting mini vinyl more accessible

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Tiny Vinyl is the industry leader when it comes to, well, you guessed it right, tiny vinyl records. These records can be played on most 33⅓rpm turntables and are pure joy simply for their cute quotient. The company introduced its 4-inch records (one-third the size of a standard vinyl record) last year, which can be played on a standard manual turntable. These records store two songs – one on each side – and the audio community has taken these pocket records pretty seriously. Most of these vinyls are officially licensed by big artists who choose their best two songs to go on the vinyl. The miniature records are highly collectible but can only play on a seemingly bigger platter, so where is the fun in that?

After selling their millionth Tiny Vinyl in just a year, the fans and Target wanted the brand to come up with a versatile and small record player. For this reason, the company has now introduced a dedicated TINY Vinyl Player to play music from those tiny records. No bigger than a shoebox, the turntable is built from the ground up, given its small size. Everything, right from the tone arm and platter to the control panel, was designed from scratch. The only two components from standard component manufacturers are the cartridge and needle.

Designer: Tiny Vinyl

What we see here is a turntable that’s ultra-portable, specifically designed to play 4-inch vinyls, and definitely a conversation starter. According to co-founders Jesse Mann and Neil Kohler, the shrunk-down turntable opens up the possibility of owning a record player for the music-loving community who otherwise cannot afford to buy the traditional decks. According to  Jesse Mann, “These new products give music fans and collectors everything they need to build out their own little Tiny Vinyl universe, a setup as fun and personal as the music they love.”

The only downside, though, is that they can only play the tiny vinyl records, and if we’re all in for the complete album collections, they are a bit of a handful. Another major consideration is the slight compromise in audio quality coming from the small speakers. That said, the duo from Nashville has access to the pro music industry peers, and they’ve used this to build the Tiny Vinyl Turntable for maximum user satisfaction. Once they got past the initial drawings, the next big challenge was to design the built-in speakers and Bluetooth sync. But the biggest of them all was to calibrate the revolutions per minute to 33⅓rpm to play the music at perfect speed.

The portable turntable can stream music to Bluetooth speakers or headphones if the built-in speakers don’t tingle your senses. You could go for the wired option as well for better audio dynamics. Tiny Vinyl has gone a step further by integrating a storage slot beside the platter to hold up to five records of choice. For those planning to expand the collection of Mini Vinyls, there’s also the option of getting the vinyl storage cabinet called Crate, which sits right underneath the turntable. There’s a third accessory in the mix as well, dubbed Frame, which can be used to display four Tiny Vinyl albums on the wall. The Tiny Vinyl Turntable available at Target costs $50, while the Crate and Frame are priced at $20 and $15, respectively. The UK launch is slated for Autumn, so better watch out!

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This elastic band-powered car proves you don’t need an engine to experience real mechanical thrills

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Kinetic energy is a fascinating thing, a fact I first realized after becoming obsessed with pull-back toy cars as a child. The simple act of rolling the car backward to store energy before watching it shoot forward at surprising speed felt almost magical. I didn’t understand the physics back then, but I knew there was something immensely satisfying about turning stored energy into motion.

Tell that to James Bruton, and you’ve got an engineering challenge rather than a toy. The inventive YouTuber is back with another delightfully unconventional experiment, this time asking whether a vehicle can be powered entirely by elastic bands. Not the thin rubber bands you’d find in a desk drawer, but heavy-duty resistance bands designed for fitness training, capable of storing far more energy than their humble appearance suggests.

Designer: James Bruton

Bruton begins by building a test rig from industrial 4040 aluminum extrusions to understand how much energy these bands can store when twisted rather than stretched. The setup uses inexpensive Lazy Susan thrust bearings to let the mechanism rotate with minimal friction while a single resistance band is wound tighter and tighter. The initial tests prove surprisingly encouraging, with the band accepting dozens of twists before reaching its limit, hinting that there may be enough stored energy to propel a person.

Turning that potential into useful motion, however, proves far more complicated. A pair of 3D-printed bevel gears delivers a 2:1 reduction to increase torque before driving a set of lightweight wheels. The prototype manages to move Bruton, but only for a couple of meters before the band eventually snaps under excessive winding. Rather than dismissing the concept, he treats the failure as valuable data, redesigning the drivetrain with an additional reduction stage that increases the overall ratio to 6:1. The improvement isn’t dramatic in terms of distance. Still, it delivers smoother power without permanently deforming the elastic band, confirming that gearing plays a bigger role than simply storing more energy.

The next logical step is to increase the amount of stored energy itself. Instead of making the vehicle impractically long with one giant elastic band, Bruton develops an ingenious routing system that sends multiple bands back and forth through the chassis using intermeshing gears. CNC-machined aluminum brackets, industrial extrusions, custom 3D-printed components, and dozens of modified bearings come together to create a rigid frame capable of containing the enormous twisting forces generated by the growing elastic drivetrain.

Experiments with six bands connected in series reveal an unexpected lesson in physics. While the system stores more energy, it doesn’t produce a proportional increase in usable torque, leaving much of the stored potential untapped. Rather than forcing the design to work, Bruton completely rethinks the layout by arranging eighteen resistance bands into three parallel columns, each feeding a common output shaft through bevel gears. The configuration increases available torque while preserving a useful amount of unwinding time, striking a far better balance between power and efficiency.

After countless iterations, careful winding, and more than a few anxious moments trying not to snap another band, the elastic-powered machine finally delivers the result Bruton had been chasing. The vehicle carries him almost 10 meters on nothing more than the energy stored in twisted resistance bands, with a best run measuring just under 9.9 meters before a final all-out attempt stretches that distance beyond 12 meters. It may not be replacing electric drivetrains anytime soon, but that’s hardly the point.

 

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You can finally own the upside down driving Spéirling Pure electric hypercar

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McMurtry Automotive has been showing off its prototype electric car for some years now. The record-breaking Spéirling hyper track car, capable of racing upside down like a Formula-1 car, really turned eyeballs and caught much attention. Now, the thing is legit for the public roads, as the British electric hypercar manufacturer has revealed the production version of the electric version of the car. Called the Spéirling Pure, this hypercar is slated to cost around $1.3 million when it goes on sale later this year.

This production version has some valid changes to make it road legal and, more importantly, road viable for purists who want to experience the thrill of driving a powerful EV. Just like the prototype version, the Spéirling Pure EV can drive upside down thanks to the Downforce-on-Demand fan-based system, which can produce a surprising amount of downforce courtesy of the high-speed fans running at up to 23,000 rpm. This is assisted by the underbody extended skirt system that keeps the car glued to the surface like a vacuum pump.

Designer: McMurtry Automotive

Since the car has more downforce than the dry weight of 4,409 lb (even though 665 lb heavier than the prototype), it can literally be upside down like a bat in the standing position. That’s a very rare trick you can show off in the real world if you find a setting to make the car turn upside down. The massive 3G downforce comes in handy in tight chicanes and corners, virtually lending the hypercar superior traction control to carry more speed out of corners. On the production version of the car, the fan motor is improved with new blades, and the air compressor also gets an upgrade. Other major upgrades include the new 100-kWh battery pack (compared to the 60-kWh pack on the prototype) and a wider wheelbase, increased to 8 inches to 86.6 inches to make space for the larger battery unit.

Spéirling Pure feeds the battery power to the pair of electric motors that drive the rear wheels. The enhanced transmission translates all the energy into 986 horsepower for an acceleration to 60mph in just 1.6 seconds. The top speed hits 190 mph, and that downforce system helps keep the vehicle stable. This also helps in braking at high speeds as the suction power creates enough friction. The production version will also get a flexible suspension system, adaptive dampers, and a 20 percent higher ride height to conquer most motorable roads. The electric hypercar can be charged from 20 percent to almost full capacity in a mere 20 minutes, depending on the outlet it is being plugged into.

The upgrades follow on the inside with a motorsports-grade carbon-fiber monocoque for premium safety. Bodywork also gets a bump up in the form of a swan-neck rear wing above the trunk, refined headlight design, a second hinged door, and space for keeping a helmet or HANS device. The interior can be customized by the buyers in a plethora of options. For the thrill of experiencing racing, the hypercar comes with a F1-styled steering wheel and an instrument cluster on the digital display.

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Bürstner’s new modular Mercedes Sprinter RV offers privacy bedroom, and more living space

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Compact, luxury motorhomes with smart space-enhancing features really have a market of their own. This domain is dominated by Germany-based Bürstner, which surprised us first with the Habiton camper van last year. The concept van home debuted a modular interior layout that residents could change according to their requirements during the day or night. Now, continuing from where it began, the builder of comfortable and practical motorhomes has launched the Signature SMT model.

The interesting mobile home is based on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis and has a layout that can have an open, unobstructed view or a privacy shutter along the kitchen, closing the rear bedroom when you are sharing the motorhome with friends or even members of the family. Since the entire concept of the interior is based on space-maximization and modularity, Signature made from fiberglass for a durable and lightweight form factor, features a raised roofline at the front.

Designer: Bürstner

This modification allows a drop-down bed to sit comfortably at the increased height. Below, you have the dinette that is formed by swiveling cabin seats and a bench across the aisle. The space here is naturally lit with a full-width skylight above. The transformable front lounge makes way for a 76 x 51-inch drop-down double bed at night. And when the daylight strikes and you’re leaving the bed, the ceiling bed retracts – disappearing completely from sight – opening the lounge area for dining and communication.

An option for a twin or queen bed (with springs and a comfort mattress) sleeping area is designated again toward the back of the cabin, with the modular kitchen and space-saving bathroom taking up the space in the middle. The bedroom features custom-designed back panels and a wardrobe for storing your clothing essentials. The Signature offers sleeping space for up to four people conveniently.

The premium, modular kitchen isn’t really designed to transform like the lounge or the bathroom (we will discuss in a bit), but it is designed with some interesting retractable options of its own to really zap the mind. The kitchen revolves around an induction hub in the center and two extendable worktops on either side of it. An electrically retractable shelf lifting straight up to the roof on the right shows your stored items, while a practical refrigerated drawer, featuring a 138L freezer compartment, finds place below the main countertop. When raised, the retractable shelf, in conjunction with a sliding door, doubles as a divider wall, allowing privacy in the bedroom behind.

Available in a choice of 735 and 766 cm lengths in white and stone-grey colors, the Signature motorhome comes with another interesting transforming space: the bathroom. It is placed right behind the driver and comes with a sliding front wall that retracts toward the Cassette toilet to store away the sink integrated into it. The space outside now is reserved for the shower, which the user can use without having to think of fitting into a small bathroom space already occupied by a fixed sink and toilet.

Designed to go where your camper van adventure demands, the Signature SMT is provided with a 150 Ah lithium battery, a 200-liter fresh water tank, and a diesel heating option. The pricing for the base 735 cm model starts at €93,999 (US$107,000), while the bigger 766 cm Signature would cost around $110,000.

 

 

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Airstream’s $64K World Traveler 17RB is a budget-friendly RV first-time campers have been waiting for

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Known once for its high-end, expensive silver-bodied trailers, Airstream has now unveiled its most affordable 17-foot travel trailer ever. The World Traveler 17RB undercuts Airstream’s previously attainable 16-foot Bambi trailer by a good $4,500 at $64,400. Airstream has already started the production of the new trailer, and its first deliveries are slated to happen later this year.

Even though the entry-level 17RB is designed for first-time buyers seeking a worthy entry point to start their family camping adventures, it is an equally compelling option for seasoned RV enthusiasts, since the trailer retains Airstream’s signature style and body despite the price.

Designer: Airstream

Airstream lifestyle has never been more affordable. With the entry-level World Traveler line, the new Airstream lineup for beginners, Airstream is making the lifestyle attainable, but without compromising its market position. The World Traveler 17RB is therefore built to exude the same style on the outside, while certain cost-limiting tweaks on the inside are what we shall get to in a bit.

Last year, Airstream launched a 22-foot model, which was lightweight enough to be towed by a wide range of vehicles. The 17RB, with its GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of 3,500 lbs, is as lightweight as it can get. It follows the same approach of being easily towable by an SUV or even a smaller pickup truck like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Maverick.

While the basics of the signature riveted aluminum body remain unperturbed on the outside, the new Airstream has its wrap-around windows on the back and front replaced with smaller, rectangular dual-pane acrylic windows. A manual awning attached to the 17RB’s body extends the living space slightly outside when needed. For other times, the interior of course, is well equipped.

The trailer’s Scandinavian-inspired interior is provided with white aluminum walls complemented by a choice of Sagebrush or Shoreline upholstery. The kitchen is the mainstay of the World Traveler 17RB travel trailer. Starting out it seems small, but to extend the space, it features an expandable countertop. On it, you get a two-burner gas stove and a sink. A 2.1-cubic-foot refrigerator is neatly tucked under the cabinetry. Airstream also provides an option to include a microwave in the setup.

Airstream has outfitted the 17RB with a 24-inch Smart TV and a JBL audio system for entertainment. It has a Truma Combi Eco Plus System for heating and hot water, while the air conditioner is located underneath, hiding the cooling with the use of ducts. A dinette located in the front section of the trailer can be converted into a bed for additional sleeping space. The main bedroom area, however, is placed in the rear where a fixed mattress is provided for a couple to sleep. Even though Airstream doesn’t market it as such, the 17RB travel trailer can be prepared for off-grid adventures with the inclusion of a 200W solar panel and an optional 2.5 kWh lithium battery pack.

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Airstream’s $64K World Traveler 17RB is a budget-friendly RV first-time campers have been waiting for

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Known once for its high-end, expensive silver-bodied trailers, Airstream has now unveiled its most affordable 17-foot travel trailer ever. The World Traveler 17RB undercuts Airstream’s previously attainable 16-foot Bambi trailer by a good $4,500 at $64,400. Airstream has already started the production of the new trailer, and its first deliveries are slated to happen later this year.

Even though the entry-level 17RB is designed for first-time buyers seeking a worthy entry point to start their family camping adventures, it is an equally compelling option for seasoned RV enthusiasts, since the trailer retains Airstream’s signature style and body despite the price.

Designer: Airstream

Airstream lifestyle has never been more affordable. With the entry-level World Traveler line, the new Airstream lineup for beginners, Airstream is making the lifestyle attainable, but without compromising its market position. The World Traveler 17RB is therefore built to exude the same style on the outside, while certain cost-limiting tweaks on the inside are what we shall get to in a bit.

Last year, Airstream launched a 22-foot model, which was lightweight enough to be towed by a wide range of vehicles. The 17RB, with its GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of 3,500 lbs, is as lightweight as it can get. It follows the same approach of being easily towable by an SUV or even a smaller pickup truck like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Maverick.

While the basics of the signature riveted aluminum body remain unperturbed on the outside, the new Airstream has its wrap-around windows on the back and front replaced with smaller, rectangular dual-pane acrylic windows. A manual awning attached to the 17RB’s body extends the living space slightly outside when needed. For other times, the interior of course, is well equipped.

The trailer’s Scandinavian-inspired interior is provided with white aluminum walls complemented by a choice of Sagebrush or Shoreline upholstery. The kitchen is the mainstay of the World Traveler 17RB travel trailer. Starting out it seems small, but to extend the space, it features an expandable countertop. On it, you get a two-burner gas stove and a sink. A 2.1-cubic-foot refrigerator is neatly tucked under the cabinetry. Airstream also provides an option to include a microwave in the setup.

Airstream has outfitted the 17RB with a 24-inch Smart TV and a JBL audio system for entertainment. It has a Truma Combi Eco Plus System for heating and hot water, while the air conditioner is located underneath, hiding the cooling with the use of ducts. A dinette located in the front section of the trailer can be converted into a bed for additional sleeping space. The main bedroom area, however, is placed in the rear where a fixed mattress is provided for a couple to sleep. Even though Airstream doesn’t market it as such, the 17RB travel trailer can be prepared for off-grid adventures with the inclusion of a 200W solar panel and an optional 2.5 kWh lithium battery pack.

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ASUS ROG Raikiri II Pro adapts to every game with switchable triggers and 8,000Hz input speed

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When the ROG Raikiri Pro controller burst onto the scene at CES 2023, the gamepad was ahead of its time courtesy of a dedicated 1.3-inch mini OLED display. Now, after nearly three years, Asus has revealed the next version of the controller with improved features and upgrades to entice gamers who are always on the lookout for the endgame accessories.

This comes on the back of Asus ROG’s 20th anniversary celebration, wherein other products, including the triple-mode gaming monitor and Gjallar Gaming soundbar, were also announced by the brand.

Designer: Asus

Unlike its predecessor, the new ROG Raikiri II Pro shifts its focus from flashy extras to competitive performance and precision. Built primarily for PC gamers, the controller delivers an impressive 8,000Hz polling rate in wired mode for ultra-low input latency, while ASUS’ SpeedNova wireless technology is designed to provide a fast and stable 2.4GHz connection with improved power efficiency. The controller also supports Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity, allowing players to switch between multiple gaming setups with ease.

ASUS has also redesigned the controls to improve responsiveness during long gaming sessions. Every primary input, including the D-pad, ABXY buttons, shoulder buttons, and rear paddles, now uses micro switches that deliver crisp tactile feedback with faster actuation. The controller also introduces dual-mode triggers, letting users instantly swap between short-travel micro-switch triggers for competitive shooters and full-range TMR sensor triggers for racing titles or games that benefit from precise analog control. Combined with anti-drift TMR thumbsticks, the Raikiri II Pro controller offers consistent accuracy and longer durability than traditional analog sticks.

Customization remains one of the controller’s biggest strengths. Through ASUS Gear Link software, users can remap buttons, adjust stick sensitivity, fine-tune trigger dead zones, modify vibration levels, and create multiple profiles for different genres. RGB lighting, onboard profile storage, and interchangeable thumbstick caps further allow players to personalize both the aesthetics and feel of the controller. ASUS also bundles a charging dock and a protective carrying case that can recharge the controller while stored, making it easier to keep the accessory ready for travel or daily gaming.

Alongside the controller, ASUS also introduced the ROG Gjallar Gaming Soundbar as another premium addition to its gaming ecosystem. The 2.1.2-channel setup supports Dolby Atmos and combines front-facing speakers, dedicated tweeters, upward-firing drivers, and a 65W wireless 6.5-inch subwoofer to create a more immersive soundstage. The company says the system is tuned to improve positional audio, helping players better identify in-game movement and environmental cues.

Like the Raikiri II Pro, the Gjallar supports ASUS Gear Link software, allowing users to customize audio settings and integrate it into a broader ROG gaming setup. The two new accessories showcase ASUS’s emphasis on high-performance gaming peripherals that prioritize responsiveness, customization, and immersion, while marking another milestone in the company’s two-decade journey as the Republic of Gamers brand!

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Son transforms a Unitree robot dog into an all-terrain mobility chair for his disabled father

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Some inventions are meant to push the boundaries of technology, while others are built to break the barriers people face every day. This remarkable all-terrain robotic mobility chair belongs to the latter category. Designed by YouTuber Jake Laser for his father, who has lived with multiple sclerosis (MS) for more than 20 years, the project is a powerful reminder that engineering can be an act of love as much as innovation.

Living with MS had gradually taken away many of the experiences Jake’s father once enjoyed. Simple obstacles such as stairs, rocky trails, steep hills, or uneven paths became impossible to cross in a conventional wheelchair. Rather than accepting those limitations, Jake set out to create a machine capable of taking his father where ordinary mobility aids simply could not.

Designer: Jake Laser

Instead of designing a robotic platform from scratch, Jake modified a sophisticated industrial quadruped robot from Unitree. The robot already featured an unusual hybrid design, combining powered wheels with articulated legs. On smooth ground, it rolls efficiently like a wheeled vehicle, while on rough terrain it engages its walking capabilities, allowing it to climb stairs, step over obstacles, and navigate rocky landscapes with impressive stability.

Transforming the industrial robot into a rideable mobility device required extensive engineering. After experimenting with multiple seating positions, Jake mounted a racing bucket seat directly over the robot’s spine, positioning the rider’s legs forward to ensure the robotic legs could move freely underneath. A heavy-duty safety harness was added to keep the rider secure, while the software controlling the robot’s balance system had to be recalibrated to compensate for the constantly shifting weight of a human passenger. This allowed the robot’s sensors and motors to maintain stability even while walking across difficult terrain. A wireless dual-joystick controller gives the rider full control over movement, including driving, rotating, strafing, and adjusting the robot’s height for easier entry and exit.

Jake also wanted the machine to feel something his father could proudly call his own. Inspired by elegant 1940s Bugatti automobiles, he added curved body panels, carbon-fiber accents, chrome-style headlights, LED underbody lighting, and custom spinner wheel covers. The result is a futuristic personal vehicle that blends cutting-edge robotics with timeless automotive styling. Before allowing his father to ride it, Jake subjected the robot to demanding tests. It climbed tall ledges, crossed ladders, navigated full flights of stairs, and traversed rocky riverbeds without losing balance. Only after proving its reliability did his father climb aboard. The experience was deeply emotional. For the first time in more than two decades, he was able to visit places that had long been inaccessible, exploring trails and landscapes that had become distant memories. Jake did far more than build a remarkable robot; he gave his father the freedom to make new memories where wheelchairs had once reached their limit!

 

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New Aboard T4 self-propelled electric travel trailer is built for extended off-grid living

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Off-grid travel is not only a buzzword lately. It’s become a way of life. Perpetuated largely by tiny houses on wheels and RVs. Amid the latter, travel trailers have an edge. They live separately from their towing vehicle and tout independent proficiency. Thus, the new form factor of trailers is smarter and more capable than ever before. Such is the case with the recently launched T4 trailer developed by California-based Aboard RV. It is an off-grid rig with an appealing aerodynamic design and a size that neatly places it between a van home and a large motorhome.

The Aboard T4 electric trailer is anything but a traditional trailer. It features more glass in construction than others would dare to go with and combines automotive engineering with a hybrid electric drivetrain to leave us with a capable RV that none of us would want to miss a chance to get on board.

Designer: Aboard RV

Besides its aerodynamic form factor, the T4 is designed for off-grid adventures. It sits on a reinforced integrated chassis and has a built-in Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) powertrain. The powered axle system allows enough energy to steer the rig while climbing without creating additional load on the towing vehicle. This is because it is engineered as a fully integrated vehicle, allowing it to self-propel, straining the tow vehicle less to increase range and reduce drag.

The trailer is designed to be about 24 feet long, and it tips the scales at 6,500 lbs. Interestingly, the T4’s hybrid platform has more than 200kWh of onboard power. It features a 41 kWh LFP battery and a 60 kW range-extending generator. Together, extending the off-grid living capability of the trailer for more than a long weekend. The generator can recharge in under 30 minutes, substantially enough to keep your devices and equipment powered during time off the grid. The trailer can, if needed, power the electric tow vehicle as well.

The Aboard T4 electric travel trailer has a metal-paneled body and features car-like secure doors that ensure improved durability, while providing weather protection. The smoothly glazed exterior of this trailer seems completely fashioned with glass, but it’s when you enter that you realize the panoramic windows span only 270 degrees. It may not be as much as you believe it is from the outside, but windows are still enough to fill the interiors with natural light and surrounding views.

The interior space is centered around the kitchen and bathroom of the trailer, with two convertible lounges – on either side – transforming into bedrooms by night. The bathroom doubles as a mudroom accessible through two separate entries. The kitchen is equipped with an induction cooktop, refrigerator, microwave, and a lot of storage. Interestingly, the trailer is equipped with a 52-gallon fresh water tank and a 35-gallon grey water tank. Also, with a 30-gallon black water tank onboard, the trailer is fully prepared for off-grid stays. Designed to accommodate four people easily, the Aboard T4 travel trailer will be available starting at $80,000. There is no definite release date in sight, but the trailer can be reserved now for a fully refundable deposit of $100.

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HS 640 is the most lightweight and accessible Alaskan Campers ever built

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If you’re a serious overlander, there’s no chance you don’t know about Alaskan Campers. Since 1957, the hard-sided Alaskan truck campers have been a dream for every adventurer. Sidestepping its image of creating heavy-duty rigs for the first time, the company has engineered a hard-sided pop-up camper with reduced weight. Called the HS 640, the rig is designed from the ground up with smarter construction materials, while maintaining the durability and performance assured by an Alaskan model.

The Alaskan Campers HS 640 is a new-generation camper designed with the idea of reducing weight and creating a fit compatible with a wider range of trucks. Since it’s built from the ground up, the HS 640 does share a similar Alaskan design language, but it isn’t based on any existing model from the company. It is an entirely new platform made to be “lighter, more efficient. It’s the “most accessible Alaskan ever built, designed to fit more trucks and reach more people,” the company notes.

Designer: Alaskan Campers

For its lightweight form factor, Alaskan Campers has constructed the HS 640 using non-organic materials. The shell comprises 1.5-inch structural insulated panels paired with high-density PIR foam sandwiched between fiberglass skin, creating a robust yet lightweight body that is, of course, rot-proof and certified R-11 thermal insulation. With the integration of this new construction format, the company has managed to curtail excess mass across the entire camper structure, reducing the weight without compromising strength.

Designed for broader compatibility with a larger range of trucks, the HS 640 has a dry weight of 1,500 lbs. and measures about 6.3 feet (1.9 m) in length. The lightweight camper’s size allows the tailgate to close on most standard 6.5-foot truck beds from Ram, Ford, Toyota and more. The reduced weight of the pickup camper puts less strain on your truck, improving its drivability, while providing a comfortable living space inside.

The yacht-like interior fashioned by Alaskan for the HS 640 includes aluminum cabinetry, which can be customized to the buyer’s choice of color. The interior otherwise features bamboo trim throughout. The kitchen alongside the entry is provided with an induction cooktop, a sink, and a 90L fridge. Adjacent is the living space equipped with an L-shaped sofa paired with a detachable Lagun table in the center, transforming the space from entertainment to dining in a jiffy. The sleeping section, located behind and above the dinette, features a RoamRest 6-inch queen mattress and is finished with overhead storage and a wardrobe. HS 640, the company notes, offers campers an indoor and outdoor shower and a Trelino Evo S portable composting toilet.

On the outside, the interestingly designed camper provides for an optional 180-degree awning and a solar panel. The buyer can opt for 400 watts of rooftop solar panels and an electrical system with 324-Ah Expion 360 battery. The backup can be managed off the grid by 3,000-W inverter on board, while a 57-liter fresh water tank suffices for the water needs. Alaskan Campers is selling the HS 640 starting at $47,495.

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