Smartphone, watch, or even connected trainers The business traveller's range of trendy equipment is constantly expanding. The suppliers' latest angle of attack is on the business traveller's indefatigable companion: his luggage. For several months now projects of all kinds on the smart casecapable of recharging the battery of a mobile device or of being located by smartphone. With its R1 model, Chinese manufacturer Cowarobot is going one step further by imagining luggage that follows the business traveller like a shadow. This motorised suitcase has retractable wheels that "propel" it at a high speed. top speed of 7 km/h A pace that's more than enough, unless you're thinking of a new Olympic discipline with a suitcase or - and this is more common - you want to catch a flight at the end of boarding time...
The R1 case detects its owner thanks to a connected braceletIt also unlocks the Co-smart system, and even recalls luggage when leaving a restaurant, for example. Sensors built into this intelligent suitcase enable it toavoid obstaclesIt's a journey of up to 20 kilometres (12.5 miles). And to make sure that the luggage has enough power to last the half-marathon, the application that accompanies R1 allows travellers to check the battery level of the device, and recharge it if necessary before departure. What's more, R1 is also equipped with a removable charger, capable of recharging an iPhone 6S up to nine times, according to Cowarobot, which guarantees that its luggage meets airport security standards. This precision makes sense at a time when certain mobile devices - the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, to name but one - are being denied boarding after several incidents in flight.
The R1 project, launched on the crowdfunding site Indiegogo, has already exceeded its objectives: $515,706 has been raised, i.e. 501% of the target set by Cowarobot. It will cost $700 (just over €620) for business travellers who dream of walking around hands-free at Roissy or elsewhere. Video demonstration:
