BOXABL Unveils Folding Habitat Concept for Lunar Settlements, Keeps Royalty-Free IP
BOXABL has introduced a conceptual foldable habitat called UFO for lunar and planetary settlements, separate from its Earth-focused modular housing business, and plans to offer the IP royalty-free to spur innovation.
BOXABL, known for its foldable Casita homes that deploy on Earth in under an hour, has unveiled a conceptual off-world habitation system called UFO (Unidentified Folding Object) designed to support future lunar and planetary settlements. The concept is based on the company's foldable building intellectual property and was developed by an after-hours skunkworks engineering team, according to a press release issued on June 9, 2026.
The UFO concept is featured in the company's recently released video “LIVE ON THE MOON (Part 1) - UFO by BOXABL.” The design would allow habitats to launch in a compact configuration and expand into larger living spaces after deployment, addressing challenges of transporting and deploying livable structures beyond Earth. BOXABL said the modular, linkable structures could be used for research, tourism, and support operations.
Importantly, the company indicated it plans to make the UFO intellectual property available on a royalty-free basis to encourage broader innovation in off-world habitation systems. This move could accelerate development of space habitats by allowing other organizations to build upon BOXABL's foldable technology without licensing fees. The full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/opOWs.
BOXABL emphasized that the project remains separate from its core mission of advancing housing affordability and construction efficiency on Earth. The company is already transforming the housing market with its modular building systems, including the flagship Casita—a 361 square foot studio unit that unfolds on-site in less than an hour. BOXABL also offers the Baby Box, a 120 square foot unit built to RV code for simpler setups, and is developing stackable and connectable box models for townhomes, multifamily units, or larger single-family homes.
The announcement comes as BOXABL continues to attract worldwide attention since its founding in 2017. The company is also linked to FG Merger II Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) formed to effect a merger or similar business combination. More information on FG Merger II Corp. can be found at https://fgmerger.com/.
While the UFO concept is still in the conceptual stage, it highlights BOXABL's ambition to apply its foldable technology beyond Earth. By offering the IP royalty-free, the company could help lower barriers to entry for space habitat development, potentially influencing future lunar and planetary missions. For now, BOXABL remains focused on its terrestrial housing mission, but the UFO concept signals a long-term vision that extends to the stars.
Forward-looking statements in the release are subject to risks and uncertainties as detailed in the company's SEC filings. The full terms of use and disclaimers are available at http://IBN.fm/Disclaimer.