Unique UFO-inspired camper trailer lands

If you thought the swing-out Romotow caravan from New Zealand was out of this world, check out the geodesic Dreadnort POD also created across the ditch.

The multi-sided, Origami-style Portable POD is the product of Auckland-based powerboat builders Dreadnort Boats who are planning to offer the UFO-inspired, multi-purpose accommodation unit complete with polyhedron-shaped windows in various sizes and configurations, including a cross-over caravan-teardrop camper trailer.

A Dreadnort POD prototype made an appearance at last year's Tiny House Expo in Auckland, with cashed-up buyers now being given the opportunity to order one from the New Zealand boat manufacturer.

"We build to order (and the) price depends on layout and fit-out," the company said on social media. "The prototype as finished is currently priced at $98k NZD."

"Our concept came about from a case study in 2011 for a multi-use tsunami survival shelter that would double as a boat and caravan," the company explains on the Dreadnort Boats website.

"It should be noted that our POD, in its current form will not stand up to the forces of a tsunami due to our door design and large windows.

"We plan to offer the PODs with varying layouts and different sizes (including) off-grid solar options."

Dreadnort Boats say the PODs are built in a factory in West Auckland from 5mm marine grade aluminium and 6mm toughened safety glass windows.

The prototype POD measures 5.1m x 2.5m x 2.5m and weighs around 1000kg, and comes with 'lifting lugs' so it can be dropped into a remote area by aircraft if required.

A rendering of the POD camper design shows a compact but functional internal layout including a club style lounge/dinette that converts to a bed, a kitchenette and internal ensuite. Other designs on the drawing board include larger 7m x 3.1m and 9m x 4.5m versions, boasting feature-packed floorplans.

Dreadnort has also come up with a design for a floating two-storey houseboat version dubbed the Meteor which measures 11.95m long by 5m wide.

According to Dreadnort Boats, the Portable POD could also be used as a portable office, a 'sleepout', food stall, humanitarian/disaster relief shelter, and possibly an inter-planetary rover!