Wingcube Camper Folds From Box to 8-Person Tent in Minutes

Imagine towing a camping setup the size of a washing machine that unfolds into sleeping space for eight people.

The Wingcube camper pod, unveiled at Germany's CMT 2026 trade show, packs into a box measuring just 8 feet long and 4 feet wide. Once parked, two sidewalls fold down manually within minutes, pulling integrated tent frames into position like a pop-up rooftop tent. The result looks like a sliced mushroom, with raised floors keeping campers well above the ground.

Inventor Paul Schultz designed the two side tents as proper bedrooms, each featuring thick double mattresses, panoramic windows on all sides, and large skylights. The central box serves as flexible space for kitchen storage, a pantry, refrigerator, or general gear. A table slides out from the front hatch to create outdoor dining for four, with an optional awning providing shade and weather protection.

The design's biggest advantage is versatility. Because the camper pod sits on top of a separate utility trailer rather than being built into it, owners can use the trailer for other purposes when not camping. The Wingcube could also work as a backyard guest room or even as lodging units for glamping resorts.

Schultz entered the concept into CMT's startup competition hoping to win €20,000 to build his first prototype, but judges selected a simpler RV tool instead. He's now finalizing detailed designs while seeking funding to launch a company and pursue retail production.

Why This Inspires

The Wingcube joins a long tradition of clever space-saving camping solutions, but it takes the concept further than most. While traditional tent trailers stay close to the ground and integrated campers permanently occupy their trailers, this design thinks differently about how we use camping equipment.

The concept draws inspiration from De Markies, a similar Dutch design from 1985 that featured two fabric awnings emerging from a central box. That prototype spent two decades touring museums before plans for production emerged in 2021, though no retail model has appeared yet. Schultz's streamlined version may reach customers first.

If all goes according to plan, Schultz will complete his working prototype by the end of 2026. The final design may evolve, possibly switching to inflatable mattresses if foam or spring versions prove too bulky for the folding mechanism, but the core concept of a compact, expandable camping pod should remain.

For anyone who loves camping but hates complicated setups or lugging massive trailers down narrow forest roads, the Wingcube offers a promising middle ground between tent camping and full RVs.