Forget Smart Suitcases, Robotic Luggage is Coming

Have you ever been in a situation when hauling your cumbersome and heavy luggage made your trip less enjoyable? Have you ever wished that instead of having to drag your suitcase you could just focus on taking pictures or using your mobile devices? Luckily, thanks to technology, the future of travelling might allow you to keep your muscles strain-free.

NUA Robotics, an Israeli company, has recently unveiled a prototype of a robotic carry-on luggage that allows travelers to forget about the hassle of dragging the luggage. Thanks to camera sensors, Bluetooth and a dedicated smartphone app, the NUA case is capable of literally following its owner.

©NUA Robotics

The case is capable of moving at a speed of 5 km/h which is equivalent to the average walking pace of a human being. According to NUA Robotics, the market version will be able to travel at greater speeds should someone need to run to catch a plane. Thanks to its camera sensors and software, the case can avoid obstacles that could occur on its path.

On a technical side, the case is equipped with a Lithium Ion battery that lasts up to 90 minutes on a single charge. Should the energy run out, the case can be used in the manual mode which also allows to harvest energy in order to recharge the battery. Another feature of the luggage that might come in handy for the Generation Y tourists is the USB charger built into the case. The whole package weighs 1 kilogram more than traditional carry-on luggage systems.

The creators of the case have also taken care of security features. Since the user would not have direct contact with the luggage, one could try to steal the luggage. In response to this issue, the NUA case has been equipped with a anti-theft alarm. What is more, the case boasts features of a typical smart suitcase with the ability of measuring its weight and localisation.

The idea itself is not really new as in 2012 Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez presented his ‘Hop!’ robotic luggage which moved on two caterpillar tracks and could also automatically follow its user. What is different in case of the NUA luggage is that the market version is expected to be available in December 2016 and that the suitcase is lightweight. The only limitation that we can identify is the fact the NUA case can so far only ride on smooth surfaces.

 
We believe that robotic suitcases are the future of luggage. Its characteristics cannot only make travelling easier but it could prove especially useful to persons with disabilities.

Sources:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2212181/Lazy-luggage-Is-robotic-suitcase-future-travel.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-10-08/robotic-luggage-doesnt-deliver

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/12088876/The-robotic-suitcase-that-follows-you-around.html