Electronics

Bluesmart smart carry on brings luggage into the 21st century

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The Bluesmart smart carry on brings a wealth of technology features into the world of luggage (Photo: Bluesmart)
One of the features of the Bluesmart is an easy to access compartment for mobile devices should they need to be shown to security (Photo: Bluesmart)
The Bluesmart includes a built in digital scale to provide weight data to a smartphone app through Bluetooth (Photo: Bluesmart)
Bluesmart's TSA approved digital lock is controlled through proximity and also a smartphone app (Photo: Bluesmart)
The Bluesmart smart carry on brings a wealth of technology features into the world of luggage (Photo: Bluesmart)
Most of the Bluesmart's functions are controlled through a smartphone app on an iPhone or Android smartphone (Photo: Bluesmart)
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Let's face it, air travel sucks. You are crammed in a small cylinder at 35,000 feet with a herd of other people like cattle, noshing on junk food a cranky flight attendant pitches at you while hurrying by. Worst of all, you forgot to charge your tablet and now can't watch all those Marvel movies you wanted to catch up on. A solution could exist to at least this last problem though, courtesy of a new so-called "connected carry-on" called Bluesmart that packs a built-in battery capable of charging your gadgets many times over.

It is, admittedly, a little weird to think about a suitcase as being technology-enabled. In a world where leaving cell phones and tablets on in airplane mode during take offs and landings was only recently given the green light, the idea of a carry-on that communicates to your smartphone wirelessly through Bluetooth seems quite foreign. It is something those behind Bluesmart swear the travel industry is ready for though, claiming they've gotten through airport security many times with prototypes without any problems.

A very feature laden design

Much of the interaction between a Bluesmart and your iPhone or Android device involves making use of a special app. With this app you can control a variety of the carry-on's features, including locking/unlocking its integrated TSA-approved lock, giving you its current overall weight when you pull up on the handle to activate its built-in digital scale, tracking its location globally through a GPS module tucked into it and providing real time trip reports with multiple data points.

Most of the Bluesmart's functions are controlled through a smartphone app on an iPhone or Android smartphone (Photo: Bluesmart)

In addition, the Bluesmart has built into it a number of security features that work in part with the app to make sure you don't leave it behind. These include proximity distance alerts, the ability to find the hand luggage with the help of a proximity map and automatically locking when you are away from it.

For those who have tablets and laptops, this luggage aims to provide some convenience to your travels while making use of these devices. A special compartment on the front of the Bluesmart is designed to hold this gear, while also reportedly making them easy to be removed for showing to security officials. There's also the previously mentioned built-in battery, which is reported capable of fully recharging a smartphone six times over.

One of the features of the Bluesmart is an easy to access compartment for mobile devices should they need to be shown to security (Photo: Bluesmart)

The team behind Bluesmart is looking to add more features as well, including support for other smartphone platforms, support for smart watches like the Apple Watch and a planned API. This type of future planning will likely come after the initial software and product build out, which at this point from a crowdfunding perspective looks to be a go given the huge response the carry on has attracted on Indiegogo.

As all of the early adopter packages have now been snapped up, the first available pledge level is set at US$265. If all goes to plan, the first connected hand luggage is scheduled for delivery in August 2015.

More information on the Bluesmart can be seen in the pitch video below.

Ed's note: Bluesmart closed in 2018, reportedly due to major US airlines banning smart luggage with non-removable batteries.

Sources: Indiegogo

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9 comments
Robt
Now try rolling that through the security scanner..
Armin Polvich
There are no weight limits on carryon and you carry your luggage with you everywhere so why do I need to track it or scale? Why is the case so heavy not practical. I also I did some research and they claim they are “the worlds first” but it looks to me they copied this idea from bags2go?
see below link:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2106420/deutsche-telekom-and-rimowas-smart-suitcases-have-integrated-tracking.html
rik.warren
Why GPS? If Bluetooth is the means of connection the suitcase is either in range or not. While the case may know where it is it has no way to tell you if out of BT range.
The rest is pretty cool.
bf_308
@Armin, you obviously have never traveled Ryanair or some other budget Airlines and indeed some other international operators. There are weight and dimension criteria mentioned quite clearly on the booking and check-in instructions which should not be breached unless you want to open your very big wallet.
@ Rik.Warren. Unless you know very clearly why this device has two systems and not one, then you should engage learning before opening mouth. Bluetooth is good for only a few meters in an open space and works indoors as well as outdoors depending on other interference's/obstructions. So once out of the range of the main device....(iPhone for example) then it is useless. GPS, however takes over once the device has left the proximity of the Bluetooth and then registers itself on the designated Satellite system (provided it is outdoors and in full view of the sky) therefore enabling it to be seen on the designated (probably Google maps). I hope this explains how the system works more clearly. By the way the concept is not new for tracking assets, and is certainly not a first for baggage as Armin mentioned........... http://www.pcworld.com/article/2106420/deutsche-telekom-and-rimowas-smart-suitcases-have-integrated-tracking.html
Alex Hwang
Very nice, but it is also freighting to think that if a terrorist ever use this technology to....., unthinkable consequence!
Les.B.
A needed feature in smart luggage is a logging accelerometer to record the impacts the luggage is subjected to by the airlines. This could aid in getting claims adjustment when the luggage is abused.
Bob
Interesting, but I already carry a spare charging battery that fits my iphone and ipad. It costs about $20. I pack everything into my carry on and have never exceeded 30 pounds. Since I always carry it with me, a separate GPS isn't necessary. If my tablet was in my suitcase and we did get separated, the "find my phone" app would provide a map of the location of both my phone and tablet. Other than the locking feature, I already have everything else. While I like hard cases, I find my old canvas case with multiple external pockets to be easier to pack and use.
LucretiaQuietStormParker
Would be totally awesome if it comes in full size and heats up to kill bed bugs!!! Gasp!!!!
agulesin
@bf_308: I have never heard of ANYTHING that communicates with the GPS satellites to report its position. They are only sending signals which we can use to determine the position of something. To report that to the user, a SMS message etc. would be needed via the mobile phone network. Please check YOUR facts before typing! :-)