Michigan grad designs and builds Homeless Utility Vehicle
Click above for more shots of the Homeless Utility Vehicle
Before moving out West, I lived near Detroit -- the car capitol of the United States for sure, but also home to many people without homes. Stephen M. Mills surely noticed this issue as well as he attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. For his final project in school, Mills created what he refers to as a Homeless Utility Vehicle, basically a small shelter on wheels with just enough space to fit a person inside to protect them from the elements. Of course, it gets pretty darn chilly in Michigan in the winter months. Before actually constructing the shelter, Mills went for two weeks without shaving or taking care of his hair, slept for a night in a small trailer and on the floor of his apartment. These experiences influenced the design of his HUV.
The vehicle itself is human powered and is constructed of plywood, black vinyl and clear vinyl. The wheels appear to come from a small cycle or cart. Mills tested the HUV a bit in Ann Arbor and was happy with the results. We wonder if the HUV could incorporate a simple pedal system as this would likely greatly increase its usability and could even allow for use beyond just homeless persons. Comments?
Gallery: Homeless Utility Vehicle
[Sources: The Detroit News, Homeless Vehicle]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
greg 3:24PM (8/20/2008)
Now I can sell my house and retire into one of these!!
Wait a minute...I don't think my wife and kids will fit in the baskets.
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Andy 5:41PM (8/20/2008)
There's a trailer hitch for making caravans. Bring your extended family along too!
Brad 8:18PM (8/22/2008)
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Susan 3:52AM (8/23/2008)
I've been homeless. I was homeless for more than two years, and what I can say about this vehicle is that it is for daytime or waking time use only and would not be functional for sleeping or self care. The small size and sealed nature is good for getting around, but would hold the sleeping materials and not be the sleeping quarters. It would also take up a great deal of space and be prone to theft and would need to be safeguarded from vandalism. A homeless person's problems only begin with the lack of options of an indoors. And they go up to the ordinary things that people with homes take for granted. I think that attention to the specific needs of homeless and not satirizing their experiences is in order.
peter 4:39AM (8/23/2008)
Ah hell, with everyone losing thier houses, maybe the banks can hand them out as an incentive to get people out of thier houses faster. If you dont fight the foreclosure, we'll give you one of these!
GoodCheer 3:44PM (8/20/2008)
A whole new meaning for "mobil home" I suppose....
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GoodCheer 3:45PM (8/20/2008)
... er, that would be "mobile"...
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Matt Pipes 3:47PM (8/20/2008)
Hmm, I feel like if an elected official tried to pitch this as an actual solution, or even partial solution to a cities homeless problem they would likely be criticized as being cynical and inhumane for not providing shelter with heat and plumbing, etc. Something like "The best you can offer is a shopping cart with a tarp... You monster."
I would have to say that I would probably agree with that kind of criticism. Still, since it is unlikely that people in the United States will ever agree to pay taxes for any kind of social safety net, I guess it is heartening that creative people are working on innovative ways to make a homeless person's life more comfortable.
Oh God. Save us.
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gholland 4:22PM (8/20/2008)
...since we don't pay taxes already [rolls eyes]. Oh wait, most of us don't.
Hans Wurst 4:15PM (8/20/2008)
It's just a final school project, and it seems you can do pretty much whatever for those, but why is it that people create products without ever consulting the target audience?
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jean 10:44PM (8/22/2008)
How do you know he didnt consult homeless people I think its better than being out in the rain
Richard 5:03PM (8/20/2008)
I don't think his target market may afford this contraption. I like the idea though. Sure beats looking at shopping carts, and if they have a place to go at night, it's certainly safer. I also like the idea of pedal power. Eventually, motor assist, and then solar power for additional cell phone charging...
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Andy 5:39PM (8/20/2008)
And unless they are available for free at any grocery store, it is going to need an anti-theft alarm (preferably with key fob.)
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Dennis 8:32PM (8/20/2008)
Wouldn't it be nice if we were willing to provide small trailers in small trailer parks with some lighting and security for all of our homeless? This little toy is nice, but inadequate. Our society could so easily and economically provide humble lodgings and simple food for all. For the price of a bomber we could provide for many thousands. For the price of proscecuting a marijuana user, we could shelter a family for months.
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Josh 9:18PM (8/22/2008)
I'm open to helping 'shelter a fmaily for a month or two. But beyond that, it's back to the carts. It's not governments job to fix lazy.
If you want to help the homeless, quit giving them money on the corners and at street lights and let them get a job. Too many times I hear of the homeless not wanting to participate in active society because the "good willed" people give them plenty of money to live off of.
beamoburbank 3:12AM (8/23/2008)
Amen, brother. It is a shame this is (I think) meant to be a joke, when with a bit of rearranging, everyone could be at least comfortable. Not in dire straights, which homelessness represents to me. Perhaps there are, even in our country persons who would desire this for ascetic reasons known only to themselves, but I doubt if very many of the homeless are there by choice.
emdee 7:10PM (8/20/2008)
Looks like it could use better insulation and maybe some kind of simple heating device.
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ronzo 7:31PM (8/20/2008)
You have got to be kidding me...
Whatever it is that Mr. Mills is smoking, I want some of it...
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Gabeeb 11:00PM (8/20/2008)
Went for two weeks without shaving or taking care of his hair? Slept on the floor a few nights?
How exactly is that different than ANY other college student?
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Don 3:10AM (8/23/2008)
Yeah, I don't see how sleeping on the floor of an apartment even comes close to mimicking the life of a homeless person.