If your bag's heavy anyway...

Why not go the easy route? If you must pack an 80-pound monster and pay extortionate overweight fees you can now at least avoid dragging the beast. LiveLuggage mpw offers motorized luggage. From London’s Daily Mail:

Powered by a rechargeable 12-volt battery pack in the base, the case can cover a mile-and-a-half fully loaded.

Each has a laser-etched serial number, so that if lost, the finder can contact its makers, Live Luggage, who email or text the owner.

The case, which has a plug-in charger, similar to that of a mobile phone, works by providing varying power to the wheels, depending on how hard the user pulls it.

Pressure sensors built into the handle monitor how hard the case is pulled.

 

The wheel motors switch on the moment you tug on the handle

The engines then provide torque to compensate. So as the user walks, it follows them as though it weighs nothing.

 

Comments

[Thijs]

I do not see this becoming a succesful product. Especially for this site's visitors. ;-))
Way too heavy, and by the looks of it, sub-bullet-proof quality...

[Thijs]

More importantly: when wheeling luggage, the towing (horizontally) is only part of the problem. Gravity (vertical) is in no way compensated.
Gee, I hope it is not a sponsored item... :P

[Frank@OBOW]

I thought everyone would know that my tongue was planted firmly in my cheek when I did this post. And no products are sponsored.

.

[Kudzu Fire]

darn. i thought it was a cool idea. a sort of segway for bags

[Frank@OBOW]

Kudzu - It is a real product, I just thought it was funny to feature it on this site. Maybe someone's spouse needs one ;)

[Thijs]

Brad, I intended no offense at all in wondering if there are any sponsored items on the site. Just some slight sarcasm from my side. But, I realize now that you were playing the sarcasm with this post in the first place. Bravo!
Your most recent 'electric wheels' post is even more hilarious: the bag suggests carry-on dimensions, but the weight itself is above many (European) limits.
Alright, please keep up the humour, but the 'serious' side of this site is much appreciated!

[Frank@OBOW]

In many areas of life or business it's wise to go big or go small - the middle way is often the most troublesome or least value. This is a case in point. If you have a 50-lb case and are never going to have to lift it, why not let it power itself! See my April Fool's post for comparison.

[Jeremiah Johnson]

It looks really bulky and heavy and I have my doubts as to the longevity this item will have. I like it in theory but the product looks far to rigid and space consuming. A great idea if modifications could be made.