A cabin-sized suitcase that has so far generated US$2 million from crowdfunding site Indiegogo claims to be the world’s first example of “smart” luggage.
Sync the high-tech, self-aware Bluesmart case to your smartphone via a free dedicated app, and it will show you how much it weighs thanks to a built-in scale. All you have to do is lift it up by the handle.
In addition, the Bluesmart will update you with its whereabouts via GPS signals sent to a map on the app, so if it happens to be stolen or go missing after a flight connection, it will be easier to track it down.
Measuring 62cm x 39cm x 26cm, the case has two compartments: one for clothes and shoes; the other for a 15-inch laptop.
This “thinking” suitcase is an example of a product from the new era of connected objects known as the Internet of Things, whereby everyday belongings become “smart” when wired with online communication technology. It’s the beginning of a Brave New World.