many bags do not look alike: self-propelled suitcase can drive itself through the airport

April 24th, 2009 comments stumble it! digg it! by: technabob

Now I’m not one to pack a ton of stuff when I travel. As a matter of fact, if it doesn’t fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of me, it’s not going with me. On the other hand, I certainly know my share of people who would like to bring their entire closet with them if they could. This suitcase is for those people. Or people who like to travel with a couple of cinder blocks wherever they go.

This ridiculously expensive polycarbonate hardshell suitcase features electric motors in the wheels that can pull the bag along the floor at up to 3 miles per hour. Now don’t get any funny ideas about loading this thing up with 70 pounds of cargo and sending it hurtling through airport security to clear the way. That’s because the suitcase will only engage when you’ve started to set it in motion, it’s got at least 15 pounds of load, the handle is pulled out, and the case is tilted at just the right angle. Of course, you could always hack one to do your bidding without any of those checks and balances enforced. Me, I’d like to connect a remote control to one and see what sort of havoc I could wreak.

If you’ve got $1300 (USD) burning a hole in your pocket, give it to me. You can use next $1300 to buy one of these completely unnecessary bags over at Hammacher Schlemmer.

filed under:  gadgets strange + wonderful

April 24th, 2009 comments: stumble it! digg it! by: technabob