Eason Chen

Two campers sit in foldable chairs under a lightweight, illuminated canopy extending from the frunk of a Honda EV at nighttime. A large screen is mounted inside the frunk, creating an outdoor movie setup.

FoldNest’s in-use shot in the nighttime, with the illuminated frames lighting up and the TV screen up. A spacious and comfortable place for campers to hang out and relax.

A close-up of a Honda EV with its frunk hood open, revealing a folded frame structure neatly stored inside the hood’s underside.

FoldNest when collapsed underneath the hood.

A Honda EV parked in a forested area with FoldNest deployed, extending a lightweight, tent-like canopy from the open frunk. The structure is supported by foldable frames, providing a covered space in front of the vehicle.

FoldNest in the daytime, blocking sunlight and providing shades.

A Honda EV with its frunk open and the FoldNest camping extension fully deployed at night. The illuminated frame structure extends outward, creating a covered living space. A large screen is mounted inside the frunk, providing an entertainment setup.

Close-up view with the illuminated frames.

A Honda EV with the FoldNest camping extension fully deployed at night. The lightweight canopy extends from the open frunk, creating a sheltered living space with illuminated structural frames. A large screen inside the frunk displays visuals, enhancing the outdoor entertainment experience.

FoldNest’s angled shot

A Honda EV with the FoldNest camping extension fully set up at night. The lightweight canopy extends from the open frunk, creating a sheltered living space. The illuminated structural frames add visibility and ambiance.

The FoldNest when the TV is put away

Tent setup steps for setting up the FoldNest

The FoldNest

Camping is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S., and electric vehicles (EVs) bring exciting possibilities for enhancing the camping experience with their storage space and built-in power. However, most car tents on the market are designed for trunks and only serve as sleeping areas. Meanwhile, camping trailers, though offering full setups for cooking, sleeping, and relaxing, are heavy and cause range anxiety for EV users by significantly increasing energy consumption due to added weight and drag.

This project is being developed in professional partnership with Honda, focusing on innovative uses for the EV front trunk (frunk). By collaborating with Honda's design and engineering teams, FoldNest aims to deliver a solution that maximizes frunk functionality while aligning with the needs of modern EV users.

To explore the problem space, I developed a research dossier in the form of a newspaper with five sections: Focus, Arts, Business, Science & Technology, and Numbers. I also conducted two formative assessments for user testing in various scenarios. After all the research, the results led me to focus on how the frunk space can enhance the camping experience.

FoldNest is a lightweight, energy-efficient solution that transforms the EV frunk into a cozy "living room" space, complementing existing trunk "bedroom" setups. The design is simple and user-friendly. With app-controlled, auto-extending frames and terrain-responsive sensors, setting up FoldNest is simple. Illuminated frames double as adjustable lighting; an optional sliding TV screen adds an extra layer of comfort. By creating a sense of "home away from home," FoldNest makes camping with EVs more enjoyable, practical, and fun.

Eason Chen is a senior studying industrial design at The Ohio State University, with a passion for ideation, digital sketching, and 3D modeling. An open-minded designer, he is always eager to learn and explore new ideas. With a strong sense of empathy, he believes that "caring" is at the heart of great design, as understanding people’s needs leads to truly impactful solutions.

Beyond academics, Eason served as the secondary leader, social media, and design chair for the Taiwanese Undergraduate Networking Association (TUNA) from 2022 to 2025, where he helped foster community engagement through design and digital communication.

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