U.S. Carriers Move to Ban Smart Luggage

[MULTIZ321]

U.S. Carriers Move to Ban Smart Luggage
By Grant Martin/ Logistics & Transportation/ Forbes/ forbes.com

"Major U.S. carriers are moving to ban smart luggage from all aircraft. On Friday, American Airlines announced that "as part of safety management and risk mitigation," the carrier would ban any bag with an integrated lithium ion battery starting on January 15th. Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines released similar statements with the same deadline.

Smart bags have grown popular over the last few years thanks to a wave of development around internet-of-things technology and the growing needs of power-hungry travelers. Bluesmart, arguably the first smart luggage company, raised several rounds of crowd and venture funding with its bags that tracked locations, had integrated scales and could keep travelers powered for days at a time. Its success launched another wave of competing bags from companies like Away, Barracuda and Modobag, the "World's First Motorized, Rideable Luggage."..."

Bluesmart
Bluesmart's Series 2 line of smart luggage


Richard

 

[Passepartout]

Glad mine is all of the dumb kind. My favorite- a Rick Steves' Convertible max-legal size carry-on holds what my 24" Delsey does, weighs about 4 lbs and doesn't have wheels. Too many bells and whistles is limiting- as shown above.

Jim

 

[puppymommo]

I am in the market for new luggage and liked the idea of being able to charge my phone using my suitcase. But after reading some reviews, I decided against any luggage with a dedicated power bank for these very reasons. Even a carry on bag can be required to be checked for overfull flights. I have read of people having to carry a screw driver so they could remove the battery if the bag has to be checked. Too much trouble for me. If I get a carry on with a usb port for charging, I will get one with an easily removable power bank.

 

[puppymommo]

Glad mine is all of the dumb kind. My favorite- a Rick Steves' Convertible max-legal size carry-on holds what my 24" Delsey does, weighs about 4 lbs and doesn't have wheels. Too many bells and whistles is limiting- as shown above.

Jim

I'm looking for a carry on backpack with wheels. The ones I've seen are the Osprey Ozone, the Wheeled Duffle with backpack straps by High Sierra and the Glider by Risegear. Only the Glider has spinner wheels. The latter two are more of a suitcase with backpack straps than a true backpack. The Ozone has a section that comes off to be used as a daypack, which is a nice feature.

 

[Passepartout]

I'm looking for a carry on backpack with wheels.

Here's Rick Steves' rolling backpack: https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/rolling-backpack

 

[pedro47]

Will smart luggage prevents your luggage from begin lost on an airline, or stolen, or been open by TSA.

 

[PigsDad]

Will smart luggage prevents your luggage from begin lost on an airline, or stolen, or been open by TSA.

No to any of those. It may help you locate it if the airline loses the luggage.

Kurt