Life Cube Inflatable Emergency Shelter Sets Up in Just 5 Minutes

We've seen a ton of <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/01/14/emergency-shelters-and-disaster-relief-for-the-people-of-haiti/" target="_blank">emergency shelter concepts</a>, and it's always exciting to see when one of these ideas becomes a reality. <a href="http://www.lifecubeinc.com/" target="_blank">Life Cube</a>, an inflatable tent that can set up in just five minutes is an example of a smart shelter design that has actually been built. Packed neatly into a recycled plastic container, it contains all the basic necessities needed post-disaster, including food, water, a battery, lights, radio, solar trickle charger and of course, a place to recuperate. Although the Life Cube hasn't been vetted in a real world scenario, the company has at least had a chance to show it off to the Red Cross.

Life Cube had a chance to show off their prototype to the Red Cross to demonstrate the inflatable pop up shelter.

The shelter is delivered in a 4 ft cubed post consumer recycled plastic container that folds out to form an elevated foundation.

The canopy is then pulled out and affixed to the base platform and using an included CO2 canister, the canopy is inflated.

Also included in with the container is a table, food, water, a radio, first-aid, bedding, sanitation, and wash station.

Optional equipment can include an electrical system with 12-volt battery, solar panel trickle charger, lighting, electric pump, and communications station; propane system with cooking stove and catalytic heater; and infrastructure system with table and telescopic uprights for wind support.

The whole unit can be set up in less than five minutes and requires no tools.

The Patten Company, who has made NAVY life-rafts for over 50 years, manufactured the canopy out of Siemens polyester fabric that is tear-proof and fire-retardant that can withstand winds up to 50 mph.

Once set up the shelter provides 144 sq ft of protected space that can withstand almost any weather condition.

The shelter comes equipped with three doors so multiple shelters can be lined up and zipped together to create multiple room units.

The container can easily be moved via steel circular frames that insert to make a large wheel to roll the container.

Life Cube also makes a Mobile Command Unit, which includes a few more amenities necessary for disaster management.

The Mobile Command Center is a versatile unit combining the convenience and efficiency of a base of operations complete with specific end-user needs.

The units can also be used for commercial purposes and logos can be imprinted onto the canopy.