Picture yourself gliding through a busy terminal at your local international airport and your suitcase not only follows but lights your way with a soft and customizable hue while safeguarding your effects with military grade tracking technology. This may no longer be an image out of a Sci Fi movie but is the reality afforded by the next generation of smart suitcase wheels. For decades, the poor suitcase wheel was left an afterthought, a simple piece of plastic constructed to perform a simple function, that of mobility. The most significant innovation was the transition from two fixed wheels to four stationary containers. The principal concept remained where it was however leaving a vacuum for the traveler\'s need for certain criteria of security, convenience and personal expression. This vacuum is being recently filled in a spectacular way today. The development of the smart technology placed within the wheels, the very means of mobility of modern luggage, has made a quantum leap into the modern era of travel. The new era of travel gear is not merely concerned in travelling from point A to point B but in how one does it incorporating greater security, superior style and a tinge of the futuristic which changes the whole adventure into a journey! Revolutionary Illumination, which lights the way to style and safety. The imbedding of built in LED lights into the wheels themselves is a masterstroke in thought out functionality. They are not merely parlor tricks but give essential functional and esthetic benefits which contribute to a superior travel experience. The major function of course is, visibility. Traveling in dimly lit airport parking garages, crowded train stations or the poorly lit streets of foreign cities is infinitely easier than safe and non-stressful!A shining beacon, your suitcase openly shows where its is, others can see it and it thus lessens risks of stumbling, falling or colliding with others in the dark. Beyond mere utility they act as a strong medium of personalizing and being stylish. Through sophisticated smart device applications travelers can frequently choose colours or ‘light shows’. Thus turning a nameless suitcase from a generic luggage piece, to a unique personal statement. In a row of black suitcases your luggage becomes instantly apparent, flashing its unique light signature. This is particularly attractive to frequent fliers, families who need to keep track of various bags, and people who are conscious of their luggage fashion, who use it as an expression of their own personal style. The gentle purr of the wheels is matched by an imperturbable, brilliant brightness making excellent eye candy on all journeys.
Advanced Anti-theft tracking. Your guardian out there.
Perhaps the greatest advance gained in these smart wheels is the sophisticated anti-theft tracking device capability. The loss or theft of luggage is an anxiety that rates in importance with plane travel amongst travelers in all parts of the world. The simple solutions of external labels or locks creates very little deterrent. The new generation of wheels tackles at least this issue confidently by incorporating the tracking device into the heart of their being so that it becomes invisible and plus fantastically difficult for any thiefs to disable or destroy. This system usually works via a combination of GPS, cellular (LTE-M) and Bluetooth communication. With a dedicated app on your mobile device, you can view your suitcase\'s location on a map in realtime. If your bag is moved without your authority, the app has the ability to send an instant alert to your mobile device. If your luggage is ever lost by an airline or stolen, however, you can activate a track mode, which generates unceasing location pings, which greatly enhances your chances of recovery. A number of these systems also have geofencing features, which allow you to set a virtual perimeter. On receiving notification that your suitcase has left a particular area, such as a hotel lobby or airport baggage claim, you will enjoy added security and peace of mind. Your suitcase is thus changed from a passive receptacle into an active, connected protector of your valuables. Seamless Integration and Human Experience A common mistake of smart products’ early incarnations is clumsy integration, and the overall effect is that the product feels tagged-on rather than integral to its essential being. What is interesting about this new wheel design is its seamless integration of beauty and utility. The LEDs and tracking devices are not clumsy additions to the product. They are simply integrated into the very structure of the wheel. The result is that they do not interfere with the essential job of the wheel in question, which is to provide a smooth, durable, quietly functioning rolling performance.The user experience will be as simple and intuitive as possible. The wheels themselves will generally be driven by long-lasting, rechargeable batteries that can be recharged simply from a USB-C port (often recessed within the case itself). A single charge will often last for the period of a multi-day trip, with the tracker managing power intelligently and slipping into energy-saving modes when still. The associated mobile app will be the command centre, enabling the user to control the lights, see how much battery is left and manage all the tracking methods in one easy, clean interface. This is real design intent, to make the technology in smart travel seamless and easy to use, giving access for everybody. It is also worth mentioning another major issue; durability, and the future of travel technology. As wheels are subjected to the most extreme forces being used on cobble stones or being flung about by baggage handlers, one must ask the question – will they last? This is an issue that is being addressed by the manufacturers of these smart wheels through their manufacture in advanced, impact-resistant polymer materials, and through complete sealing of the electronic components against moisture, dust and shock. They will be rigorously tested for their ability to withstand the rigours of modern travel, in which the smart technology should be as durable as the wheels themselves. But this is not just a product launch. This heralds a sea change in the way we shall be relating to the everyday travel items. Smart suitcase wheel = platform. How many opportunities for possible expansion are there? Think of wheels which generate power by movement to recharge your devices. Think of wheels with weight indicators which will caution against over-padding at the last minute. Or think of wheels which contain built-in scales. This integration of smart technology with the most base products of our luggage offers an exciting vista where travel can become smarter, safer and more pleasurable. Think of a future where our possessions are not just carried, but are alive, connected, intelligent furthermore in the company of our travels throughout the world.