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'The Hop' Takes Suitcases Hands-Free
Thanks to a new suitcase called "Hop," lugging your carry-on bag around the airport could get a wee bit simpler. Utilizing the Bluetooth connectivity in your telephone, the suitcase can wheel after its owner all on its own. The suitcase robot even tells the owner if it has gotten lost; the owner's phone will vibrate if the suitcase loses Bluetooth connectivity.
We think this is an ingenious idea, provided the suitcase can keep up with us running to catch a tight connection.
This isn't the first robot suitcase to be developed, however. Now, if only it could lift itself into the overhead compartment as well.
[Thanks to @wanderlust13 for alerting us via Twitter]
Filed under: Gear
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
heathere Oct 2nd 2012 6:59PM
Do you notice how sloooowly the man is walking? I would just end up shoving it under my arm and trotting through the airport!
david Oct 3rd 2012 11:23AM
now we have suitcases that will give us brain cancer. whose agenda is this anyway. they can take the place of body bags. when the wireless stops our heart they can just put our bodies inside and send them on home. what a stupid, money grabbing thoughtless idea. how hard is it to tow a bag with wheels behind you??
Daddy Oct 2nd 2012 7:00PM
TSA will have a field day with this.
gd Oct 2nd 2012 7:00PM
Bad idea. the suitcase will be tripping people, knocking kids down causing drinks to be spilt. it is a lawsuit waiting to happen
JRalph Oct 2nd 2012 7:01PM
lol i was thinkin the same thing............and they wonder why they call us lazy smh
r Oct 2nd 2012 9:55PM
Maybe if people watched where they were going, their drinks wouldn't be spilled. And maybe if parents performed the job they accepted at contraception and actually monitored their children, they wouldn't be at a risk of falling down.
Ron Oct 3rd 2012 6:48AM
Ditto!
Ron
JustSaying Oct 2nd 2012 7:00PM
Cool...unless some guy picks it up and runs off with it while your back is turned
JoAnn Oct 2nd 2012 9:10PM
I agree completely.
bruce Oct 2nd 2012 7:00PM
How about the battery to run it. Won't get through TSA.
GB Oct 4th 2012 12:55PM
No different than a laptop or camera battery
Michael Oct 2nd 2012 7:01PM
Dumbest thing I've seen. Slow! Theft! just to name two.
Maybe has use for those physically challenged.
I just can't see any practical need for something that would stop at the
slightest bump in the road.
Rasputin Oct 2nd 2012 7:01PM
Right, since we don't have enough obesity in this country, now we have the blessing of not making an effort even to drag a suitcase.
What a society of self-indulgent idiots we have.
The only excuse to do this would be a handicap or old age.
RAH Oct 4th 2012 1:11PM
Speaking for the 'handicapped' ... I would rather 'ride' the suitcase to the gate!!
pwanless Oct 2nd 2012 7:01PM
Interesting concept but this demo video is shown under ideal conditions of a slow leisurely walking pace, having a nice, smooth, flat floor, and no bustling crowds. Even under these ideal circumstances, you can see the case on the verge of tipping over several times. It wouldn't get ten feet in an airport without tipping over from a bump or someone knocking into it.
I actually think this technology would be much better used on grocery shopping carts, where the floors are always flat and nothing is going to tip. With the cart following you, you can gather things from shelves with both hands, and always know which cart is yours, and if you leave your cart behind, you get the vibration that says go get it.
Carol Oct 2nd 2012 7:37PM
The grocery cart idea is great. The suitcase? Not so great.
tina Oct 2nd 2012 7:01PM
far too slow. when i am at the airport i walk really fast even if not running late for flight. i also dodge slow people that like to sightsee in the airport. this would simply slow me down and irritate the heck out of me. prefer the handle one and i will continue to fast pace as i normally do and dodge people.
CRR Oct 2nd 2012 7:02PM
What a presumptious lead-in title for this article !!! WHY THESE MAY SOON BE OUTDATED
Whoever wrote this article or developed this potential product sure didn't think it through very well: inadequate operational performance; no workaround for current/future laws/regulations; not very common-sense approach (theft ssues, legal liabilities, etc.).
To repeat what "MICHAEL" has said immediately above,
"Dumbest thing I've seen. Slow! Theft! just to name two.
Maybe has use for those physically challenged.
I just can't see any practical need for something that would stop at the slightest bump in the
road."
In all, a dumb idea !!
Blonde Ambition Oct 2nd 2012 7:03PM
Not to mention that launching this & other new brighter, shinier things will lead to more unnecessary shopping to supposedly keep the economy afloat. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Holly Oct 2nd 2012 7:03PM
It crawls and goes slow, it can be stolen right out from under your blue tooth...Oh yeah, that's gonna catch on @@...