Industrial - Bachelor
ANCHR is a modular mounting system designed to improve convenience, organisation and adaptability during vehicle-based camping. Using a removable suction mount and universal 45° twist-lock interface, ANCHR transforms unused vehicle surfaces into functional spaces through interchangeable attachments, providing flexible solutions for everyday camping activities without requiring permanent vehicle modifications.
Vehicle-based camping offers the freedom to explore remote environments, but managing equipment within the limited space of a vehicle can present everyday challenges. Campers often rely on a wide range of gear for cooking, lighting, storage and other activities, with frequently used items competing for accessible space.
As equipment accumulates, organisation can become difficult, while setting up and packing away temporary accessories adds time and effort to the camping experience. These challenges can be further complicated by changing weather conditions, uneven terrain and the need to adapt between different camping environments.
This creates an opportunity to rethink how campers organise and access their equipment, with a greater focus on convenience, flexibility and making better use of the space already available.
“You want the flexibility of all that open space… then it becomes frustrating when you put so much in it, you can’t find anything.”
Research into vehicle-based camping experiences combined quantitative and qualitative methods, including 20 survey responses, four interviews with campers and industry professionals, and benchmarking of 13 existing products.
The findings highlighted recurring challenges surrounding equipment setup and pack-down, accessibility of frequently used items, and adapting to changing environmental conditions. Product benchmarking also revealed trade-offs between permanent vehicle-integrated systems and more flexible, removable solutions.
Together, these insights identified an opportunity to better utilise existing vehicle surfaces, creating accessible and adaptable spaces for everyday camping activities without requiring permanent modifications.
ANCHR reimagines how existing vehicle surfaces can be used during camping, transforming otherwise unused areas into accessible, temporary mounting points.
At the centre of the system is a removable suction mount, designed to attach to suitable smooth surfaces without permanent vehicle modification. Its compact, reusable design provides a common platform for a growing range of interchangeable accessories, allowing campers to adapt their setup to different activities and requirements.
Rather than requiring separate mounting solutions for every task, ANCHR uses a universal attachment interface to support multiple functions through a single base.
The initial product family includes a cup holder, equipment clamp and portable light hook, demonstrating how the system can be configured to suit different activities around camp.
The ANCHR suction mount features a rotating outer collar designed to drive an internal threaded mechanism. As the collar turns, rotational movement is converted into upward movement of the central stem, lifting the centre of the flexible suction base to create a pressure difference between the cup and the mounting surface.
This mechanism is intended to provide a reusable mounting point on suitable smooth vehicle surfaces, without drilling, permanent fixtures or vehicle-specific installation.
ANCHR uses a universal 45° twist-lock interface to connect interchangeable attachments to the same suction mount. Four silver indicators positioned around the mounting base allow attachments to be oriented to suit different applications.
To connect an attachment, users align its silver indicators with the corresponding marks on the base, insert the interlocking components and rotate 45° until the locking detents engage. This shared connection allows attachments to be exchanged quickly without removing or repositioning the suction mount.
ANCHR was developed through iterative CAD modelling, physical prototyping and refinement of its core mechanisms. Multiple design iterations explored the rotating suction collar, internal component arrangement and universal twist-lock interface, with particular attention given to assembly, usability and attachment compatibility.
Early exploration began by examining existing suction-mounted products and testing their potential for vehicle-based use. This informed a series of foam mock-ups used to refine the overall scale and form of the suction mount, followed by 3D printed prototypes to test the attachment interface, component arrangement and physical proportions. The final prototype combined refined printed parts, painted finishes and assembled attachments to communicate the system as a cohesive product family.
ANCHR brings together a modular suction mounting concept, universal 45° twist-lock interface and three interchangeable attachments designed to improve convenience, organisation and accessibility during vehicle-based camping.
The final design demonstrates how a single mounting platform could support multiple functions, providing a foundation for an expandable product ecosystem. A proposed carry case further explores how the system and its attachments could be organised, transported and accommodated as the product range grows.
Future development would focus on refining the suction mechanism, validating load capacity and long-term durability, and exploring additional attachments to support a wider range of camping activities and environments.
Josh Kennedy is an emerging industrial designer with a passion for creating practical, user-centred solutions. Combining creative thinking with technical problem-solving, he draws on his background in design and business to approach challenges from multiple perspectives. His work focuses on developing thoughtful, functional products that respond to real-world needs and improve everyday experiences.
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