Trackable suitcase automatically follows its owner

The hop! suitcase from Ideactionary is Bluetooth-enabled and can follow its owner around as well as being traceable when lost.

Holidays are supposed to be relaxing, but with all of the organization involved they can quickly become more hassle than they’re worth. We’ve already seen Ogomo save stressed travelers from worrying about the little things by delivering travel-size toiletries to the hotel, and now the Bluetooth-enabled hop! robotic suitcase from Ideactionary could make lost luggage a thing of the past. The work of designer Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez, the suitcase contains a caterpillar system at its base which enables it to drives itself forwards as well as turn. Three Bluetooth receivers can connect to the owner’s smartphone, allowing it to triangulate the signal and determine where the user is in relation to the suitcase. When the phone moves, the suitcase follows and if the handset goes out of range, it is automatically locked and a vibrating alert lets the owner know. The hop! could be particularly useful for bellhops at hospitality venues or those who struggle to maneuver heavy objects, although its convenience could appeal to a potentially large traveler base. The video below shows how the suitcase works: The current version is a prototype and, as reports point out, flaws do exist which would need ironing out before bringing the product to market. While we wait, are there any other ways in which new technologies could make traveling less painful? Spotted by: Tracy Chong