Middlebury, Ind.-based Atia RV plans to make a significant statement at this year’s Elkhart RV Open House Week with the introduction of its new Hiatus travel trailer – an entry-level product that combines lightweight construction and a one-piece fiberglass floor with what company Founder & CEO Nick Nicholas describes as “next-generation artificial intelligence technology.”
Nicholas said the new model will share floorplans with the company’s existing ATIA GU (garage-able unit) lineup, allowing the manufacturer to maintain production efficiency while introducing a more conventional travel trailer. What may draw the most attention, however, is the trailer’s AI-enabled operating system.
“We’re going to be the first in the industry to do that,” Nicholas said, noting the company has an exclusive relationship with a third-party vendor.
Nicholas said the technology is designed to function as a true interactive assistant, with owners able to communicate directly with the trailer through voice commands. The system will be capable of controlling a multitude of functions, such as lighting, reporting tank levels, monitoring systems and providing diagnostic information when problems arise.
For example, an owner could ask the system why a water heater is not working. The AI would run diagnostics and identify potential issues, such as wiring or component failures. Nicholas said he believes the technology could dramatically reduce warranty costs while helping customers resolve problems more quickly.
The platform also is being developed to monitor trailer weight, provide security alerts and communicate service needs, he added. For example, if a trailer becomes overloaded or if a compartment door is opened while the owner is away, the system could send notifications directly to the customer.
In addition to its AI capabilities, the Hiatus will feature a one-piece fiberglass floor, which Nicholas said addresses one of the industry’s longstanding concerns: floor rot. He said he believes the combination of durability and technology will help distinguish the Hiatus from competing entry-level trailers.
The Hiatus is expected to carry an MSRP ranging from about $21,000 to just under $30,000, depending on floorplan. At Open House, Atia plans to display a larger 177QB model (2,500 pounds GVWR) equipped with both the AI platform and the one-piece fiberglass floor.
For Nicholas, introducing advanced technology in an affordable product is a deliberate strategy.
“We wanted to introduce it at an entry-level standpoint,” he said, “which would give us a leg up over all the other entry-level trailers that are out there.”
ATIA expects to have an exhibit near the RV/MH Hall of Fame, although an exact location had not been determined as of late July. The exhibition space will be open during normal business hours from Monday through Thursday.
