The Hackmobile Unveiled

From concept to proof of concept, the era of maker mobility is upon us with the debut of the Hackmobile at Maker Faire Bay Area. A makerspace on wheels, the Hackmobile has been months in the making since announcing the winners of the Ultimate Maker Vehicle challenge at the end of last year.

Based on a design submission from Twin Cities Maker in Minneapolis, CGS Motorsports in Chino, California were tasked with converting a 2014 Ford Transit Connect into the Hackmobile. The build called for the removal of both rear rows of seats, leaving 130 cu. ft. of space available for interior modifications. The blueprint included two main sliding trays: a smaller one coming out the side door and a larger one sliding out the rear door. On those trays you will find: a drill press, Leapfrog Creatr 3D printer, belt sander, grinder, air compressor, MIG welder, an array of basic hand tools, soldering iron station, projector, laptop station, lots of storage for loose hardware and electronics components, with more room to fill.

Check out the slideshow below for a closer look at the Hackmobile’s offerings, and if you’re here at Maker Faire Bay Area yourself be sure to swing through West Green and see it in person.

Sliding out the rear bed slide, the tray is capable of holding many large tools, including a drill press, 3D printer, all-in-one computer, belt sander, grinder, and more.

A Leapfrog Creatr sits on the rear bed slide and can even clear the rear door frame when the tray slides out.

Additional storage underneath the rear bed slide. This area would be immediately accessible when you pop open the rear door.

There’s even room for an air compressor, along with a MIG welder stored underneath.

The underside mechanism of the bed slides. It’s a very simple but clever spring and pulley design.

Turning every element of the vehicle into clever storage space.

Rockets because, why not! They make the vehicle look great, and of course make it go faster :)

More storage on the smaller, front tray.

Pipe-fittings along the door frame allow for various fixtures to be attached. Here a magazine rack displays copies of Make: along with a laptop swivel-station allowing for computer access in or outside the vehicle.

LED hubcaps!

And here’s the video that won it all!