That collapsible cargo container may have potential as emergency shelter in wide area disasters. If it collapses to 1/4 size, then 4 times as many can be delivered in the same shipping volume. Looks like it requires a small crane to set up.

@SeekMocha

I agree, combine them with inflatable furniture made from the same stuff they are making the xp inflatable car out of, I understand it's based on the materials used in the phoenix mars landing, and you could have a low weight low shipping volume temporary housing system.

If it takes 0.5 man hours per container to collapse, and assuming the same to set it up again, that's 1 man hour added per shipment! For the largest container ships that carry up to 15,000 containers that's a pretty hefty "cost". According to the original article there are other benefits, but also a three-times higher up-front cost.

All I'm saying is that it would be nice to see a more comprehensive description of how the cost-benefit balance weighs out.

Gilding the lily usually is not cost effective.

If you are a Haulier getting paid on empty Container backloads this is a dream come true, but as always it will be the Shipping Companies that will twist things round so they will benefit hugely and the Haulier will get nothing out of it.................it will be just another day another Dollar.

Environmentally it will be very good............lets say you can get 4 of these on one trailer thats fuel and environmental costs cut 4:1 even if all 4 units end up in 4 different locations its still one Truck instead of 4 doing the job. If you have 8x20ft units on a Drawbar Combination and the Truck has a Hiab Crane then you can make even more out of it............imagine being able to deliver 8x20ft boxes in one drop!!!! Magic!

Have had a similar idea. Good concept for all the above reasons. If manufactured in aluminium and modifications made to the breakdown, so time in dis/reassembly would allow for large savings to be made. Have often thought that a worldwide emergency force should have this type of container with built-in habitat for quick erection in emergency areas d;-)

really a good idea would cut fuel consumption on land..