--- title: "Former SpaceX, Teslas Designers Selling “Pods” for Human Habitation" description: "Startup Jupe is selling prefabricated portable shelters that were designed by ex-Tesla and SpaceX designers. And they come wtih an \"average-sized monolith.\"" date: "2020-12-22" modified: "2020-12-22" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/former-spacex-designer-selling-pods-fhuman-habitation" categories: - "Advanced Transport" - "Space" - "SpaceX" - "Tesla" tags: - "off-grid" - "pods" - "the digest" --- # Former SpaceX, Teslas Designers Selling “Pods” for Human Habitation ![Startup Jupe is selling prefabricated portable shelters that were designed by ex-Tesla and SpaceX designers. And they come wtih an "average-sized monolith."]() *\Image: Jupe\* ## Juped? Startup Jupe is selling [prefabricated portable shelters]() that were designed by ex-Tesla and SpaceX designers, [*Business Insider* reports](). The off-the-grid shelters offer 111 square feet of living space and cost $17,500 per pod. ![]() *All images courtesy of Jupe* "Jupe is an off-grid escape from the city, whether to the middle of a sprawling desert, a windswept cliff by the sea or your own backyard," the startup's [official website]() reads. "Units are easy to assemble anywhere and WiFi-enabled, providing equal connection to the natural and digital world." "Experiencing the natural wonders of the world shouldn’t mean being forced to disconnect while staying in a less-than-inspirational living space," CEO Jeff Wilson said in a [press release](). "During these times when most of us are craving a true escape, Jupe provides an experience perfectly suited for socially distanced travel." ![]() ## Monolith Excitement According to Jupe's site, the aluminum-reinforced pods can fit a Queen-sized bed, end tables, a desk and chair — and an "average-sized monolith," for some reason. "We turned to ideas that inspired and excited us," Wilson said. "Remember that monolith from '2001: A Space Odyssey'? It last sent signals to Jupiter from the moon. It seems that a few of those blueprints were bounced back to Earth. We intercepted them and created Jupe." ![]() If you're wiling to spend a little more, you can deck out your Jupe with smart speakers, a locking safe, and even solar panels for the full off-the-grid experience. Jupes can be pre-ordered for a refundable $99 deposit. **READ MORE:** [These tiny $17,500 prefab 'urban escape pods' from former Tesla and SpaceX designers are now available to preorder]() \[*Business Insider*\] **More on pods:** *[Young People Are Choosing to Live in "Pods" Instead of Apartments]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()