Concept Bluetooth luggage tag

IDFuel's design competition is over and the winner is a product that we would simply love to have. It's a Bluetooth luggage attachment that starts flashing when it's in range of your cellphone so you don't have to crowd the luggage carousel waiting for your bag to come up. Personally, we solve this problem by having the most outlandish bag possible (pink camouflage often works) but this solution would be a bit easier on everyone's eyes. However, unless it's customizable it could become a problem if too many people have one (that is assuming it ever gets produced; the mockup is pretty polished though), what with tons of blue lights blinking at the same time. Maybe they'll go the cellphone route and also load these things up with ringtones (ain't nothing like your luggage blasting MIDI Hey-ya!).

[Dan Bock @ Dec 19th 2005 2:39AM]

You have to crowd the carousel anyway, to look for the flashing light. Furthermore, the Bluebird would have to be on the side of the bag that's facing you, or you won't see it. Is it really that hard to identify your own luggage? I have pretty generic-looking luggage and I've never had a problem.

[blueserker @ Dec 19th 2005 2:39AM]

makes more sense to me for the phone to buzz or something along with a customizable flash or ring on the tag

http://www.blueserker.com

[Matthew @ Dec 19th 2005 2:39AM]

Rather than have it stolen, destroyed (you know anything electronic that is on the outside of your bag will get decimated, put it on the inside and have your cellphone notify you.

Another thing, how long does BT take to acquire a device? I know its not blazingly fast, by the time your phone beeps your luggage could have already passed you by...

[B B @ Dec 19th 2005 2:39AM]

That thing would be ripped off and crushed before even got as far as the plane's hold.

[Hans Blaauw @ Dec 19th 2005 2:39AM]

I think this idea is indeed not very bright. It would be easier to add some kind of RFID (Zigbee) tag to a suitcase. On this tag is the mobile number of the owner. When the suitcase enters the belt a tag scanner will scan the mobile number and will send out an SMS message. With this solution it is not neccessary anymore to gather around the belt.

[BradNike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:39AM]

It might not be that hard to identify your luggage if you are on the lookout for it, but with bluetooth it will give you the heads up so you don't need to be impaciently waiting. Hopefully, the price on this 'bluebird' is kept to a minimum. Great concept and use of bluetooth technology.

[Nate @ Dec 19th 2005 2:39AM]

Good to hear everyone's comments on this thing...it's more fun reading this blog than it was sketchin' it up...