Fido luggage is traveler's best friend

Sure, wheeled suitcases and ergonomically correct bags make traveling easier, but face it, what you really want is a robotic suitcase that follows you around on its own without you having to pick it up even once. That's the idea behind Fido Luggage, a product concept from architect Peter Yeadon. Once the bag's owner slips on a watch-like controller, the suitcase is under his control, able to follow both passively over a wireless link, and to obey voice commands. The bag's wheels are each independently controlled for smooth travel in any direction, and laser sensors help it navigate rough terrain and avoid running over small children. Needless to say, we don't expect to ever see this for sale in our corner luggage shop (and we suspect that even if it was somehow produced, the TSA would instantly ban it from US airports), but we can't help but want it anyhow.  After all, it's everything we ever wanted in a pet: quiet, obedient  and willing to bring us our slippers, newspaper and just about everything else.

[Via Inhabitat]

[Heath Stahl @ Mar 3rd 2006 5:24PM]

Man, when the machines rise up to destroy us it�s going to be pretty embarrassing to get killed by your luggage.

[Saddam @ Mar 3rd 2006 5:35PM]

Terrorists could hide in there too

[Jay Dub @ Mar 3rd 2006 5:39PM]

What's to prevent some klepto from snatching up your robodogluggage and running off with your panties or boxers?

[Aaron @ Mar 3rd 2006 5:41PM]

What's going to be embarrassing is when you are telling your luggage to stay and telling people not to pay any attention to the self moving suitcase.

[Erwin @ Mar 3rd 2006 5:43PM]

Been there, done that... on Discworld! ;-)

http://users.bigpond.net.au/terrypratchett/Char_Luggage.htm

Cheers
Erwin

[takagawa-kun @ Mar 3rd 2006 5:45PM]

So its made out of Sapient Pearwood?

[Ashley Grimshaw @ Mar 3rd 2006 5:45PM]

That would be so funny in the airport if someone unexpectedly trips over your luggage! Cool device though!

Ashley
http://boulderthegreat.blogspot.com

[Excuse me for my terrible grammar @ Mar 3rd 2006 5:54PM]

I prefer to use new tech luggage that can squeeze without damage anything into small volume to carry.

[Saddam @ Mar 3rd 2006 6:23PM]

THIS IS THE DUMBEST IDEA EVER, GEEEZ, LETS BUILD A WHOLE AIRPORT THAT IS DRESS FRIENDLY, OR HECK LETS TURN MARS INTO A DRESS FRIENDLY PLANET OR THE MOON OR BOTH!

[creamedcow @ Mar 3rd 2006 6:31PM]

Allow me to quote a baggage handler:

If a bag looks different or won't stack right, sometimes we'll just beat the crap out of it.

I'll just stick with my basic black with removed straps, luggage handlers like to collect them as dog leashes,

[Chris Barr @ Mar 3rd 2006 6:59PM]

So will it jump into the overhead bin? What about going through an x-ray machine or being checked?

[Elias G. @ Mar 3rd 2006 7:33PM]

Yay, robotic bombs.

-- Elias

[K Hagemann @ Mar 3rd 2006 7:47PM]

What it boils down to is that this is not designed for non-utopian society.

[yjs @ Mar 3rd 2006 8:09PM]

Some of this 'amazing technology' is downright stupid and promotes laziness. A day will come when humans can't do anything by himself.

[James @ Mar 3rd 2006 8:16PM]

Is this going to follow me up the stairs too then? lol, what a load of BS. As if suitcases arn't heavy enough anyway - in/out cars/trains/boats you name it; this thing is that actual proof that the designer needs a new day job.

[James @ Mar 3rd 2006 8:38PM]

To be truly useful, it must run on two transversely mounted wheels. Then it could just run alongside you on your Segway.

[takagawa-kun @ Mar 3rd 2006 10:07PM]

Consider what would happen if EVERYONE had one of these. It would be one massive pain in the butt for moving luggage to navigate around other moving luggage and in the end, just waste time picking up your own after a collision. Yea, a particularly useless gadget.

[ebob9 @ Mar 3rd 2006 11:06PM]

Um.. ok, wow. This is a monumental bad idea.

Airports now have the constant warnings about leaving your baggage unattended. This is in case of placing bombs, and smuggling, and the like.

Now, Just enter, and let your Suitcase follow someone. Its a smart-bomb suitcase! Or maybe, it can do the drug deal on its own! brilliant!

I can see the new airport loudspeaker warning for this:

"Welcome to blahblah airport. FAA regulations require that your baggage be attended at all times. Please report all unattended baggage to the nearest airline reperesentitive. Also, if strange baggage is following you, please report that as well. Thanks!"

ebob9

[DAN @ Mar 4th 2006 12:24AM]

Aw, man, these have been around forever...
http://www.1st-ave-machine.com/video/1stavepro.htm

[tomas @ Mar 4th 2006 2:14AM]

You guys clearly don't travel much. This is a great idea! Next time you pick up a liter of Blue Label in Dubai Duty Free you won't have to lug it on your right shoulder along with your laptop.

[fluid @ Mar 4th 2006 8:09AM]

Great idea. Bad color.

[snowbag @ Mar 4th 2006 8:43AM]

This was actually a (well, lame) joke in Red Dwarf (season two I think).

[Adam @ Mar 4th 2006 10:43AM]

Does it eat people?

[daniel @ Mar 4th 2006 12:48PM]

#16:
yea it's also cool when you tell your luggage to stop and all of them do. or you say "follow me", how is the bag supposed to know WHO to follow? will you have some kind of rfid tag? or a pheromone sensor?

daniel - http://formatc.co.nr

[ScottE @ Mar 4th 2006 2:23PM]

"humans can't do anything by himself."

Look out! Its changing tenses man!

[Mateo @ Mar 4th 2006 3:56PM]

My wife already thinks I'm a nervous wreck when we get on the plane. This thing would push me over the edge. "Oh my God! We're boarding in Group 3!!! Do you think my STUPID FU(#*EN ROBOT is going to fit in the overhead bin next to everyone else's crap? Ok QUICK get to the front of the line. Oh crap - speed up you dumb sh@t - EVERYONE'S TRIPPING OVER HIM! Ok, just pick him up. I know there aren't handles - grab him like this. UGH! He's fu&$^@n heavy! What was I thinking getting this stupid thing? - ok, let's go to the airport Mall and get some overpriced cheaply made luggage and donate this thing to the nearest airport Scientologist missionary - he can store his Dianetics book display in here or some sh*$t. Christ.

[garmo @ Mar 4th 2006 3:57PM]

Is it durable enough to survive getting spit out of the CTX machine (or fit in it)? Nothing more amusing than watching electronic parts rolling off the belt.
How about the "gentle" handling afforded by the airline baggage people? The airlines love to charge way extra if the whole package weighs over 50 pounds!

[Kamui @ Mar 4th 2006 7:15PM]

I can just see some guy sittin in the middle of the airport with a modded remote control to override all the bags and make them roll right over to him.

[Andrea Andreutti @ Mar 5th 2006 10:23AM]

Hey,
too similar to Fidobag, the fake product that Samsung Electronics Italia put online in October 2004

http://www.samsung-italia.com/fidoproject/

[Al Brown @ Mar 5th 2006 8:47PM]

This idea may have some merit for moving loads around, but I also see lots of trouble travelling with this thing. And aren't the planes heavy enough already?

I can imagine such a device as being a godsend for the physically challenged though. Maybe we should restrict their use to those folks.

I'd be happy if these bags came with handles long enough for tall guys!

[Michael @ Mar 6th 2006 10:18AM]

Cute idea... But not worth it. Sounds like it would be better utilized to implement into a child's toy than into luggage.

[Flight Las Vegas @ Mar 14th 2006 11:09AM]

You say under his control but what if a lady wants to wear the watch, so should it not be once the man and or woman. Just thought i would mention this seeing as you at Engadget are good people. Anyways life would be so much easier if you didnt have to carry luggage so what a breakthrough.

[andrew @ Mar 16th 2006 8:28PM]

"follow me... i said FOLLOW ME"
"dude, who are u talkin to?"
"my bag of course"

[etmar @ Aug 2nd 2008 10:40PM]

What Fuk???? I just want to know how much this travel luggage cost, can some one pleaase teld meee?????