As overwhelming demand for new or renewed passports leave travelers scrambling ahead of their international travel plans, third party companies have come into play.
27.07.2023 - 18:08 / smartertravel.com
We’ve all heard of emotional support animals, but what about an emotional support suitcase? This new robot suitcase from ForwardX, a Chinese robotics company, will never abandon you. It’s the world’s first suitcase that uses artificial intelligence to track your location and roll itself alongside you as you walk, leaving your hands free to multi-task.
We’ve reviewed plenty of smart suitcases, but this one is definitely at the top of the class. The Ovis uses an “obstacle-avoidance algorithm” to analyze the environment, figure out where you are, and avoid potential obstacles. It also comes with a wristband that will vibrate to alert you when the distance between your suitcase exceeds six feet. It also includes many other features we’ve seen on smart luggage in the past such as GPS tracking, a (removable) battery pack for charging your phone, and a weight sensor that links up to the app.
Related: Meet the Hotel Robot Butler That’s Revolutionizing Room Service The Robot Suitcase Is Cool, But Is It Necessary?At a price point higher than what most people pay to fly across the country and back, my first impression was that this robot suitcase seems a little excessive for the casual traveler. It brings to mind the image of the globe-trotting business traveler too busy checking email to roll his own luggage. However, on second thought, a hands-free suitcase would also make a huge difference for disabled travelers or anyone traveling with small children. It’s kind of cool and a little bit creepy, but overall it has the ability to make traveling through the airport a whole lot easier.
What About the Smart Luggage Ban?According to the ForwardX website, the suitcase’s battery will be removable at the press of a button. This meets the IATA standard for carry-ons, which requires that lithium ion batteries “must be able to be removed from the bag so that the passengers can carry the spare lithium battery / power bank into the cabin.” You can read more about the ban and learn which brands you can can’t fly with here.
So Where Do I Buy a Robot Suitcase?The Ovis is not yet available, but before it hits the market at the $800 price point, ForwardX is offering a great deal on its IndieGoGo page in order to raise funds; the suitcase is currently available for as little as $350.
Editors’ Note: This story has been updated to address concerns about the Ovis’ battery in regard to a ban on smart luggage with irremovable batteries.
More from SmarterTravel 7 Ultra-Useful Carry-on Bags Smart Luggage Ban: Which Smart Bags You Can and Cant Fly With Mystery Solved: Heres Why Your Checked Luggage Gets So Beat UpJamie Ditaranto is a writer and photographer who is always looking for her next adventure. Follow her on Twitter
As overwhelming demand for new or renewed passports leave travelers scrambling ahead of their international travel plans, third party companies have come into play.
United Airlines will once again be flying from the United States and China with the return of service to Beijing and more flights to Shanghai.
It may be the middle of summer, but Club Med is thinking ahead to ski season and putting vacations on sale up to 40 percent off.
Wrapped around the east coast of mainland Southeast Asia like a mythical Naga serpent, Vietnam naturally lends itself to overland travel. Its two biggest cities – Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) – are divided by 1100km of rice paddies, tropical jungles, historic townships, wartime relics, national parks and sandy beaches, and most people plot an itinerary that takes in both of these lively hubs.
It’s the classic pre-trip selfie. You snap a picture of yourself with your passport and boarding pass, then promptly share the photo on social media. Your family, friends and followers may like it.
A recent report released from travel marketing engine Sojern, analyzed travel trends from January 2015 to April 2016 and found the top international destinations for U.S. travelers as well as the top emerging and declining international spots.
Travel website, Trippy, has put together an awesome infographic showing prices for food, beer, taxis, and hotels in the most and least expensive countries. And the best part is that it updates daily, so you can see the average price of something when you’re planning a trip or once you’re in the destination.
The main purpose of a UNESCO designation is to promote worldwide support for historic and culturally-significant sites. The new UNESCO World Heritage sites announced each year also provide an opportunity to learn about beautiful locations that most of the world has never heard of. Here are 10 of the 21 new UNESCO sites that deserve a spot on your bucket list.
Effective immediately—or whenever it was that Delta posted the new rule to its website, with no notice to SkyMiles members—SkyMiles award tickets for travel that doesn’t begin or end in the U.S. or Canada must be booked at least three days in advance.
Survivor meets The Truman Show. As a pretty clever marketing ploy, the Helsinki Airport invited Chinese actor and TV personality, Ryan Zhu, to live in the city’s airport for 30 days.
If you’re headed to one of the most popular destinations in the world for spring break—yes, it’s Mexico—then check out these cheap Mexico vacations before you book.
Still haven’t started your holiday shopping? No judgment and no problem, because these sites have you covered. All of the retailers below will ship your gifts in time for Christmas, for free: