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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 3 of 4)
DANNY Oct 2nd 2012 9:27PM
I THINK ITS GREAT! THAT IS IF YUR 95 YEARS OLD AND WALK 6 INCHES PER SECOND ... OR IF U WANT SOMEONE TO STEAL YUR SUITCASE FOR WHATEVER REASON U HAVE ... I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ARE MARKETING IT TO THE MASSES ... THEY SHOULD MARKET IT TO AARP SUBSCRIBERS OR SENIOR SENIORS ....
Hali Oct 2nd 2012 11:23PM
I am usually running and I just can't wait for my suitcase to catch up with me. I'll pull it. Is it going to jump by itself in the upper compartment once on a plane?
JimmyC Oct 2nd 2012 9:45PM
I love new ideas, innovations and progress, BUT this is a loser . . . described in the excellent obsevrations of the contributors here, to this one . . . the traveler is going to have to walk, jog or run looking backwards . . at their bag . . no, not only to see if it's keeping pace . . but to insure someone doesn't "snatch" it off it's wheels and disappear onto an escalator with it . . . just like with today's black overhead rollers, these new ones will all look similar . . . everyone one will be mowing everyone else down as they advance North in the terminal, gazing South . . what a dog and pony show this will be!!
joe b Oct 2nd 2012 9:55PM
people become more lazy by the day they can't do shitz for themselves anymore
Linder Oct 2nd 2012 9:57PM
Might be ok in a very control office environment for loads of files or mail, but not a crowded airport or where kids or old people are walking about.
Also cant use outside or you would be picking this up all the time, BUT,.. then again how would you know when it toppled over if it follows you?? PLUS, anyone could snatch it and run before you realized. BESIDES,. It appears slow and unstable. AND,..not to mention DUMB!
Gees the list is endless on the negatives. How lazy have we gotten???
anaconda Oct 2nd 2012 10:34PM
"Umm...excuse me, did you happen to see a red bag that was following me?"
"Well, y'see.. It's kind of funny really..."
"Whaddaya mean?"
"I couldn't help but notice that it made an abrupt detour for Gate C while you were still walking toward the domestic terminal whilst talking on your phone. I saw it speed up as it boarded the plane.
"WHA' THE...?
"There's the plane now, on the runway. I believe it's headed for Mexico.. I hope at least it sends you a postcard."
"@#$%!!!! That's the last time I'm telling it we're going to Pittsburg!"
(disclaimer - ain't nuthin' wrong with good ole' Pittsboig PA.)
BLT Oct 2nd 2012 11:07PM
No image of the usable space inside the suitcase. Some space must be lost to the mechanism. This is probably useful for anorexic lingerie models but no one else.
Patrick Oct 2nd 2012 11:11PM
Not a single positive comment as far as I can see for this.
How to make this into a worthwhile product since what you've presented here obviously sucks?
Make it so it floats behind you but you can tether it with some sort of string so you don't lose it.
Give it artificial intelligence, the ability to communicate, a set of eyes, ears, feet, hands (retractable, of course) and heck, while you're at it, throw in wifi and other connection methods. It won't need to follow you, it'll just show up at your final destination-and maybe it'll figure out how to hack the airline computers so you always get upgraded to first class and have direct flights, but only on flights that won't be delayed due to the weather or incompetency.
Heck, make it super aware, large as a car, and give the ability to fly. Then you wouldn't need the airlines, you would just let your 'Mega-Hop' take you where ever you want to go.
Just some ideas, because the Hop sucks.
Jules Oct 5th 2012 4:34PM
good way to lose your suitcase....electronic / computerized devices get glitches in them and quit working ........just when you need them.
lori9612 Oct 2nd 2012 11:53PM
It rolls behind you? I agree with some of those statements ya, don't you think that kind of suit case basically has a sign on it that says steal me on it. Somebody can just walk up behind you and grab it or use their their phone to take it and you wouldn't know unless you always look behind you when you walk but then you can't see what's in front of you. Or what if you accidentally grab someone's suitcase with your bluetooth by mistake. Am I right?
zoseph Oct 5th 2012 6:40AM
This is The Onion's work, right?
jbyars Oct 3rd 2012 1:30AM
I thought they were going to say the baggage charge was going to cost more than the ticket.....hence everybody just flies with nothing!
Daletron Oct 3rd 2012 1:45AM
Wish I could install on my wife so I could get her out of Wal-mart.
Mark Oct 3rd 2012 2:37AM
This is such a foolish idea that I must assume it is a joke.
louie Oct 3rd 2012 5:22AM
YEP... can see some getting hurt running into this with no one pulling it. A visual distraction in an airport with lots of people
Dawn Oct 3rd 2012 8:01AM
What a waste of time and energy. This concept would only benefit persons wanting a way to leave an unidentified package without being seen for dispicable reasons. The fact that it can be lost is a perfect reason to just say no! The suitcase robot alerting the owner that it has gotten lost by vibrating when the suitcase loses Bluetooth connectivity would only serve to assist diviant persons of its exact location. Doesn't get my vote!
Reathea Oct 3rd 2012 8:12AM
Well, aside from the fact that I agree with all the comments that this is about the stupidest idea anyone has come up with, I've had one heck of a great laugh this morning. Thank you all for your comments.
G MAN Oct 3rd 2012 8:38AM
This suitcase will move slow till it gets in the hands of TSA. When it gets in the hands of the American Airlines Baggage handler that throws it around like garbage, it wont work at all or it will follow someone else home. Get rid of your dog and get this suitcase.
besmart Oct 3rd 2012 10:46AM
Another tool to make it easier for terrorists to get bombs into major airports or train stations. It is not that hard to roll your own suitcase.
G MAN Oct 3rd 2012 8:44AM
It may refuse to move if it is stuffed with a little more weight. These suitcases may be smarter than the TSA.. Hmmm... We just need someone to open a store now at the airport to sell these babies..