Exo units: the shelters redefining emergency housing – in pictures

The Exo, developed by Reaction Housing, aims to revolutionise disaster response. Its founder, Michael McDaniel, was inspired after seeing the poor quality shelters thousands were forced to use after hurricane Katrina hit the United States in 2005. Photograph: PR

Each unit can sleep four people. Photograph: PR

The Exos can be assembled in under two minutes with no need for special tools. Photograph: PR

Exo units can be stacked on top of each other like Styrofoam cups to allow them to be transported in large numbers. A cargo ship could transport 300,000 units – enough to house more than 1 million people. Photograph: PR

Digital door locks make Exos safer and more secure than makeshift tents and trailers commonly used as disaster shelters. Photograph: PR