3 On Your Side: Smart Luggage
By Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Whether you're just wrapping up spring break, or are planning a summer vacation, if the thought of lost luggage, no Wi-Fi and overweight fees leave you stressing out, we have some good news. New high tech travel products may be able to help. 3 On Your Side Consumer Reporter Jim Donovan has the details.
Frequent traveler Jerry Kallmin loves some of the new travel gear hitting the market, like the iQ suitcase with a built-in charging device. Kallmin says, "I don't have to hunt for the nearest charging station that's invariably is going to be completely filled up." The suitcase also has its own app that tells you how much your bag weighs, a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot and even a place for an international sim card."
With the LugLoc will locate your luggage through an app on your phone. You can zero in on your bags location down to the exact address. While the Charger Leash lets you know if you're leaving your charger behind in your hotel room or airport by sounding a loud alarm.
Smart luggage has its advantages, just be sure to check for expenses beyond the cost of the actual product. Sharon Profis, a senior editor at CNET says, "sometimes the caveat to that is you have to pay a monthly service. you need to pay the monthly GPS or cellular service because, like a phone, your luggage needs to be able to connect to the internet, so that's something to look out for when you're shopping for smart luggage."
Manufacturers still have to follow TSA guidelines on all luggage, and even the suitcases that unlock through your personal phone will also open with the TSA master key.
For more information visit:
Andiamo iQ
https://www.travel-goods.org/press-releases/member_24-7-andiamo-unveils-iq.pdf
LugLoc
ChargerLeash
