Let's face it, camping is basically awful. Sleeping on the floor, bugs that see you as a buffet, and that smell of damp polyester that you won't get out of your nose for three weeks. But what if I told you there's a "tent" designed by the same studio that designed the Ferrari Testarosso? Meet the AC Future AI-THt. It's not a trailer. It's a mobile penthouse that pretends to be a trailer just so it doesn't scare your neighbors at the campsite. And yes, it's got more technology in it than your office.
First, let's get one thing straight. Most trailers are boxes on wheels. Boring, aerodynamically disastrous boxes. AC Future, a California startup that apparently watches too many sci-fi movies, has teamed up with legendary design studio Pininfarina. The result? The AC Future AI-THt.
On the road, it looks like a sleek, 24-foot (7.3-meter) monolith. Streamlined, clean lines—just what you’d expect from the Italians. But the real magic happens when you park. Most trailers have one slide-out, maybe two if they’re feeling fancy. AI-THt? This thing explodes. Well, not literally. It expands in all four directions.
The front part slides over the towbar, the rear part extends, the sides open. In a matter of minutes, it transforms from a 24-foot (7.3 m) monster to a 38-foot (11.6 m) long monster. The interior space jumps from a modest 150 square feet (14 m²) to a luxurious 360 square feet (33.5 m²). That's more than a studio apartment in Ljubljana, for which real estate agents charge you 200 thousand.
Italian style, not “Ikea” improvisation
With Pininfarina next door, the interior doesn't look like a dentist's waiting room. We're talking a "residential-grade" kitchen, a proper bedroom, an office nook (because we know you'll be working on vacation, don't lie to yourself), and a full bathroom.
It even has a front patio. Yes, you read that right. A hanging patio where you can sip espresso and watch the plebeians struggle to set up their tents. The furniture is modular and folds up when the trailer is collapsed. It all works with a patented system that's probably powered by black magic or very good hydraulics.
Power plant on wheels
This is where things get really interesting for us tech enthusiasts. The AI-THt isn't just a passive trailer that sucks electricity from your car. It's a mobile power plant.
It hides a 100 kWh battery system in the bottom. For perspective: that's the battery capacity in a Tesla Model S Plaid. That means you can use this trailer to charge your electric car if you're stranded in the middle of nowhere. Or power your house when the power goes out.
Even more impressive (and perhaps a little optimistic) is the solar power claim. The roof and probably some hidden areas are covered in solar panels that are said to generate 25 kW. That's a huge number. If true, you could survive the apocalypse with this thing and still watch Netflix via its built-in Starlink internet.
And if you're worried about water? The trailer has a system for generating water from the air. It literally drinks moisture and turns it into water. It also recycles the water, meaning you can be "off-grid" for longer than you can tolerate the company of your family in a confined space.
A trailer that helps you drive
Towing a trailer is stressful. AC Future knows this, which is why they built “Tow Assist” into the AI-THt. The trailer has its own drive to assist the towing vehicle, meaning your electric SUV won’t lose half its range as soon as you hook it up.
It also has an auto-hitch function. The trailer moves to the hitch by itself. No more embarrassing “just a little left, no, right, STOP!” waving from your partner, which usually ends with a scratch on the bumper and a silent groan in the car.
Conclusion: Dream or reality?
The price for this piece of the future? It starts at $158,000 (about €144,000 before the taxman comes calling). Is that a lot? For a trailer, absolutely. For a 33-square-meter, completely energy-independent apartment designed by Pininfarina that you can park on any shore? Maybe not.
The AC Future AI-THt is proof that the future of mobility is not just about cars, but about what we haul behind us. Deliveries are scheduled for the second half of 2026. Until then… good luck setting up that Decathlon tent.
Specifications AC Future AI-THt
- Length (ride): 24 ft (7.3 m)
- Length (extended): 38 ft (11.6 m)
- Interior space (expanded): 360+ sq ft (33.5+ m²)
- Battery: up to 100 kWh
- Solar: 25 kW
- Special features: Generating water from air, EV charging, automatic connection
- Price: from $158,000
FAQ: 5 things you're probably most interested in
Do I have to stretch the trailer by hand or do I need an engineering degree? No way. This is a luxury, not a fitness class. Everything is fully automated. You press a button and the patented system automatically expands the living space in all four directions in a few minutes. It grows from 7.3 meters to 11.6 meters, and the interior turns from a cramped “box” into a ballroom.
Will this “weight” ruin the range of my electric car? Surprisingly not. The AI-THt is not just dead weight, but a smart partner. It has its own electric drive (Tow Assist function) that actively helps you move while driving. The trailer practically “pushes” itself, which relieves your vehicle and preserves its valuable range.
Where can I get water in the middle of the desert if there is no tap? From the air. Literally. The trailer uses an advanced Air-to-Water Generation (AWG) system that “sucks” moisture from the atmosphere and turns it into clean, drinkable water. As long as you breathe air, you’ll have water.
Can I use a trailer to fill my car if I run out of juice? Of course. Hidden beneath the floor is a battery system with a capacity of up to 100 kWh, more than most premium electric cars. The trailer acts as a giant “power bank” that can charge your car or power your entire household in the event of a power outage.
When can I sell my apartment and move in? You'll have to wait a little longer. First deliveries are scheduled for the second half of 2026. The starting price is set at $158,000 (approximately EUR 144,000), and reservations are already open.
