The best 'smart' luggage
Can your old duffel bag weigh itself, charge your devices, and alert you when you've left it behind? Yeah, we didn't think so.
1. Bluesmart One ($449)
This pioneering carry-on "performs on all fronts," says Grant Martin at Travel + Leisure. Using a smartphone, you can lock it remotely or pinpoint its GPS coordinates. Its handle doubles as a digital scale, helping you avoid overage fees, and its battery can charge an iPhone six times. Buy it at Amazon.
2. Raden A22 Carry ($295)
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This scratchproof polycarbonate carry-on weighs just 8.4 pounds, and though it's not revolutionary, it's "the most slickly designed smart suitcase yet," says Sean O'Kane at The Verge. The Raden can weigh itself, charge your devices, and alert you when you've left it behind. Buy it at Raden.
3. Cowarobot R1 ($499)
The world's first autonomous suitcase, the Cowarobot "follows you around like an adoring puppy," says Aloysius Low at CNET. Wear the electronically linked bracelet and the bag will tag along, using sonar and other sensors to dodge obstacles. Begins shipping in November. Buy it at Cowarobot.
4. Modobag ($995)
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Jump on this motorized carry-on and you can ride it like a small go-kart, at speeds up to 8 mph. That's faster than a pedestrian, though you have to be "willing to look like a child riding a horsie outside a grocery store," says Leslie Wu at Forbes. Begins shipping in January. Buy it at Modobag.
5. Planet Traveler Space Case 1 ($750)
Due in November, this carry-on has charging ports, GPS tracking, an anti-theft alarm, a biometric fingerprint lock, and a Bluetooth speakerphone. It's what you'll need "the next time you catch a shuttle out of the spaceport," says Brett Wiliams at Thrillist. Buy it at Planet Traveler USA.
Editor's note: Every week The Week's editors survey product reviews and articles in websites, newspapers, and magazines, to find cool and useful new items we think you'll like. We're now making it easier to purchase these selections through affiliate partnerships with certain retailers. The Week may get a share of the revenue from these purchases.
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