Cool-tech loaded lab-in-van begins nationwide journey

The Chaihuo Mobile Creative Vehicle — a cargo van with an AI lab installed inside — departed from Shenzhen today, kicking off a 200-day trip across 21 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions for public-benefit technology practice.

Launched by Chaihuo Makerspace, the vehicle will cover 19,000 kilometers, passing through Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Chongqing, Sichuan, Xizang, Xinjiang, Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Shandong, Hebei, Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Hubei, and Hunan. The van is expected to return to Shenzhen in October.

The Chaihuo Mobile Creative Vehicle. Photos by Cao Zhen unless otherwise stated

One or two tech crew members will accompany the van for the entire route — or for selected segments. Some team members may step off along the way, with local participants taking over at different stages. 

Organizers have reached out to science museums, ecological reserves, social innovation organizations, educational institutions, and NGOs to collaborate along the journey. Through free AI hardware demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and exchange sessions, the project aims to bring AI and open-source technologies to communities and respond to local needs — often overlooked. 

It also seeks to help more people master digital tools that can improve daily life, while exploring collaborative solutions tailored to specific local contexts. Through training and ongoing connections, the initiative will further cultivate local tech partners who can continue serving community needs after the van leaves.

Inside the Chaihuo Mobile Creative Vehicle.

According to Ye Yu, general manager of Chaihuo Makerspace, the project was inspired by the team’s observation that a gap persists between many AI applications and real-world scenarios — especially in rural communities, local industries, and ecological conservation, where technology has yet to fully meet demand.

Eric Pan, founder of Seeed Studio and Chaihuo Makerspace, said the project was launched in December 2025. After months of modification, the van has been transformed into a mobile AI lab capable of supporting research, workshops, and collaborative creation in a wide range of conditions.

Eric Pan (R), founder of Seeed Studio and Chaihuo Makerspace, and Ye Yu, general manager of Chaihuo Makerspace, at the Chaihuo Movile Creative Vehicle departure ceremony in Nanshan District on April 22. Photo courtesy of the organizer

To cope with diverse — and sometimes harsh — environments, the van was first fitted with vibration damping and sound insulation. Wiring for electricity and servers was then concealed, and additional air-conditioning was installed. The lab is equipped with a 3D printer, a desktop laser cutter, and an electronic soldering station, as well as a local AI server.

Even in remote areas with limited internet connectivity, the vehicle can provide stable technical support using offline large language models, off-grid communication systems, and multimodal sensing systems. It can also interact with open-source AI projects such as Reachy Mini, OpenClaw, and the Xiaozhi Voice Assistant.

Tech enthusiasts who want to join the team on the van or participate in activities along the journey can apply via the project’s official website: https://mcv.chaihuo.org/en.

A tech crew member introduces equipment on the Chaihuo Mobile Creative Vehicle.