MaterialDistrict

A lightweight camper made of ultra-breathable fabric

Car manufacturer BMW Group, in collaboration with outdoor sports brand The North Face, designed a lightweight camper made from innovative breathable fabric.

The fabric, called Futurelight, was developed by The North Face and is made using nanotechnology. The fabric is said to be “the world’s most advanced, breathable, waterproof material”.

The nanospinning process used to create the fabric allows to add air permeability into the membrane of the fabric. This process creates nano-sized holes, which allow for porosity while still maintaining total waterproofness. Air can move through the material, providing venting.

The Futurelight camper was inspired by the 2008 BMW GINA Light Visionary Model concept car. GINA was a concept car that explored the design possibilities of a car with a flexible exterior. Like the GINA concept, the Futurelight Camper is made of a fabric outer shell, consisting of a flexible material stretched over an iconic geodesic dome to demonstrate the potential uses of the fabric beyond just apparel.

In addition to the ultra-breathable fabric, the camper also features non-pneumatic tires.

The North Face will introduce its product line featuring the Futurelight fabric this autumn, though we’ll have to wait a little longer for the camper. Currently, the camper only exist as a rendering. A prototype model will be unveiled later this year.

Rendings: BMW Group

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