The tools inside the business traveler’s carry-on luggage have changed. The luggage itself has not.
Two companies are hoping to take off through crowd-funding with modern roller bags that fit all the essentials and charge your devices. One even has a router to give you a Wi-Fi hotspot where ever you land.
The G-Ro, a sleek and modernistic bag by Shalgi Design Studio, has already more than doubled its funding goals on Kickstarter. Luggage maker Andiamo is about to bring its iQ case to Indiegogo with a load of features, including Wi-Fi, a built-in scale and an alert system that lets you know when the bag is coming towards you on the ramp.
G-Ro
Photo: Shalgi Design Studio
This carry-on is stunning to look at with a design that would compliment the motorcycle from the movie Tron. Two large diameter axle-less wheels make the bag feel lighter as the weight shifts over the center of the wheels, which are surprisingly thin and travel better than those tiny caster wheels.
The modern look takes good care of the modern traveler with a built-in charging station, two USB ports and a built-in tablet station. There is also an optional electronic module with a 23,000 mAh battery, a universal power outlet, a wireless probity detector and location tracker.
Illustration: Shalgi Design Studio
The bag is made with Cordura ballistic nylon and mold-injected aerospace-grade polymers that the company claims makes it water-resistant and crush-proof. It has an arched belly so the bag does not scrape the ground.
G-Ro is expected to retail for $499 plus an additional $99 for the electronic module.
Andiamo iQ
Photo: Andiamo
The first thing you will want to pack in the iQ is the router it comes with provide a Wi-Fi hotspot. With it, the company promises no more spotty or expensive Wi-Fi on the road. Should you fly overseas, just be sure to buy a SIM card which will fit in the iQ’s card slot.
The bag contains a compact but powerful battery unit with a total of 8,000 mAH. There is one USB port, so charging goes only one device at a time. There’s an anti-theft alert, a companion multi-functional app for travel notes and TSA-approved locks.
Photo: Andiamo
The bag sits on four spinner wheels and is a 100 percent polycarbonate case with aluminum frame.
Andiamo has not publicized the date for the start of its Indiegogo campaign and price information is not available.
David Pierini is a former newspaper writer and long-time photographer. Considered a luddite by most of his friends, they did not believe him when he broke the news that he would be writing for a technology website. He is fascinated by human nature and would love to cultivate stories about the people driving the tech bus. Reach out to him at [email protected].
6 responses to “This rolling luggage keeps tech travelers plugged in”
Neat idea, but with the embedded wiring and battery packs, this is likely going to raise red flags with TSA scanners.
TSA is getting very strict at disallowing batteries in checked baggage, so your s–t out of luck if for some reason you much check this bag.
Prepare for a cavity search from the TSA.
so, you will have to have a separate data plan to create a WIFI hotspot?
Good luck making it past customs. You might as we wear a turban and grow a beard. Neat idea though.
The article fails to mention another modern hi-tech feature. It’s on roller wheels.
Yeah, that’s right. Did you ever wonder why it took hundreds of years for wheels to be added on to suitcases? Why did something so simple and so helpful take centuries to happen?
Maybe a few suitcases/bags here or there over the years had wheels but it didn’t become a standard feature until about ten or so years ago.