Well, well... three years and change have passed since we first told you about power-assisted
Live Luggage. Now it's finally coming to market -- at least that's what we think they mean by a June 26th 2008 "world premier." The PA series of checked baggage features a 12V NiMH rechargeable battery pack supplying power to the wheels when the handle is gripped and the bag is tilted. The bags weighs 10.6kg (23-pounds) which is about 3kg (6.6-pounds) more than standard hard luggage, according to the manufacture. The cases are good for about 1.5 miles of assisted travel under a 32kg load. Of interest, the bags are now 2.6kg heavier than the original case which also featured a more powerful (and possibly exploding?) Lithium Ion battery pack capable of 2.5 miles on a single charge. We guess that was the concession made to get, "all the required accreditations and approvals from the global airport authority." No price was announced so we'll have to stick with the £397 (about $782) until we hear more on Thursday.
Update: Oh boy, after poking around the site a bit we find
a price of $1,365 -- twice as much as originally planned.
Read -- press release [Warning: PDF]
Read -- Live Luggage
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
lance @ Jun 24th 2008 7:29AM
slap a turbo charger and a nitro pack to it and then you won't need your own plane.
Bob @ Jun 24th 2008 8:31AM
For that kinda price, and that kinda battery power, they should have put a GPS tracker in that thing, that would be the end to lost luggage, and probably would reach a larger demographic.
John @ Jun 24th 2008 9:25AM
For that price, you should just buy Louis Vuitton bags and hire a chauffeur. Then at least you would at least look stylish while being an absolute twat.
John @ Jun 24th 2008 9:34AM
For that price, you should just buy Louis Vuitton bags and hire a chauffeur. Then at least you would at least look stylish while being an absolute ass.
OneLove @ Jun 24th 2008 10:58AM
can you fit a body in one? (its for work)
DT @ Jun 24th 2008 7:31AM
That's alright if it's so heavy...I mean, it's not like they weigh suitcases at the airport or anything.
Ethan @ Jun 24th 2008 8:42AM
If someone wants to spend $800 on a suitcase and they have so much stuff that it becomes too hard to pull I guess they can afford any extra fee.
Pochi @ Jun 24th 2008 8:52AM
If you have the money to throw away on this, you probably aren't worried about that.
You also probably have a short man named Gaston carrying all your bags for you, so I don't see the target audience here.
Bevo4138 @ Jun 24th 2008 10:33AM
The difficult part of luggage is the actual lifting of it (in & out of the car, off the conveyor belt, etc..) So now they make it even heavier. Good thinking.
It's like attaching a motor to a bicycle, but it only works when you are coasting downhill.
Alexander @ Jun 24th 2008 7:32AM
Seriously? Why the hell would you need THAT much luggage, let alone luggage THAT heavy? And since when will airlines let a potentialy explosive battery on a plane when you can bring a tube of toothpase on because of regulations. I don't understand what companies are thinking when they make products like this...
Alexander @ Jun 24th 2008 7:34AM
Typo, I meant to write 'cannot bring'.
switchbitch @ Jun 24th 2008 8:21AM
I work in the aviation industry, and can say with certainty that the first sign of one of these things having so much as a smoking battery will have them banned from being put in the hold of any aircraft.
At best, I think this is an incredibly stupid idea. At worst, a potentially disastrous one.
Choppy @ Jun 24th 2008 8:31AM
A butler robot would be better, then? Let Asimo start its first real job!
lance @ Jun 24th 2008 7:33AM
i wonder if we can get any lazier? power assisted beer belly carrier?
haX0r @ Jun 24th 2008 7:41AM
If you can't move your own luggage and need the power assist for the 50 pound weight limit for standard carry on's at the airport - Instead of going on vacation, you need to be going to the Gym and start working out.
BTW...the models are both "Butter Face".
inteller @ Jun 24th 2008 10:19AM
no not butter face, just British.
tonybullard @ Jun 24th 2008 10:52AM
Agreed, except that you don't need a gym to get in shape.
Luke. @ Jun 24th 2008 7:42AM
From bottom-to-top on the left:
Sweeet.
Woop!
I like THOSE!
...
Ahhh! My eyes! The goggles do nothing!
blarvh @ Jun 24th 2008 7:42AM
How lazy can you get? Pulling luggage with wheels across a flat surface isn't hard... It's so little effort that I can't understand how they get just 1.5 miles out of it. And you are just making it harder to lift..
Just pay someone to drag it and buy yourself a starbucks coffee or something.
Jason @ Jun 24th 2008 7:45AM
Why not just pack less?
I just spent 3 weeks in Europe on 11KG, including carry-on. No problem running to catch a train with it on my back.
Mark Kent @ Jun 24th 2008 9:24AM
Some people just have to have a change of clothes; strange eh?
Kurian @ Jun 24th 2008 7:45AM
I can see a nippleeeee...
clieos @ Jun 24th 2008 7:47AM
Even if this thing gets approved to go on airplane, it still doesn't make much sense using one. Consider most international flight these days limits maximum luggage weight to 20kg, you just waste a good 5.6kg (3+2.6) that you can use for personal items. All of these for what? So some one can drive his bag in the airport for 2.5miles?
Prasand J. @ Jun 24th 2008 7:49AM
and so the handle looks better to those you are approaching ... no worries, it's all behind you anyway.
BigBloke @ Jun 24th 2008 7:52AM
I travel a lot for my work, and lately the trouble I have been having at check-in due to baggage weight is starting to get on my nerves.
I bought my last suitcase with express purpose of getting a lighter suitcase (4.2kg), to help avoid charges for excess baggage.
Well, this behemoth might help you getting in and around departure/arrival areas, but the slug for excess baggage will kill any joy on your holidays.
But then again, if you can afford USD1365 for suitcase with wheels, then the addtional charges at check-in shouldn't faze you too much...
Homeboy @ Jun 24th 2008 7:56AM
They weigh 10.6kg?? Lol, now that's great when airlines only permit you luggage to weigh a maximum of 25kg. There's almost half your weight allowance gone.
Tom Robertson @ Jun 24th 2008 7:57AM
I mean come on... Is a motorised suitcase really necessary?
Prasand J. @ Jun 24th 2008 8:03AM
Most people aren't concerned with what's "necessary" and all ... they really just care about looking good while doing it.
However, I can't fathom one who would pay that much ... actually pulling their own luggage.
fusen @ Jun 24th 2008 8:04AM
the cost is £700 / $1400
http://en.liveluggage.com/product/index.php?pageaction=ProductInfo&p=1&ID=9i6cf0so1ih4dgj806l1c64jo3
Prasand J. @ Jun 24th 2008 8:07AM
I take it that it it took you half an hour to find that price. I mean between then and the time they updated the blog with the price.
pfromg @ Jun 24th 2008 8:08AM
I dont get it. How hard is it to pull baggage these days?
They all have wheels and they are all light as a feather to push/pull and you can always get a trolly in the airport.
Shan @ Jun 24th 2008 8:09AM
To me this seems kind of stupid at least on the European side. Most airlines only allow 20KG for the hold (checked) baggage. So with just over half the allowance gone for the actual motorised part of it leaving just 9.4KG left for a persons personal belongings.. exactly what needs to be motorised? A regular case with wheels is easily moveable even at 20KG.
I guess with the US carriers allowing bags of upto 32KG, this gives you 20KG to work with, but still the motorised part of it is not necessary. As long as it has wheels, even that weight isn't hard to move around. Bear in mind most people will not push it to the max anyways in terms of weight so wouldn't need the assistance. I just feel the motorised part is adding unecessary weight and really ins't warranted - especially at those prices - just pay a porter to do it, because even with a few trips a year, it still works out cheaper.
spice weasel @ Jun 24th 2008 8:11AM
i'm all for innovation and all, but why do we have to "innovate" by "inventing" products that use energy when the same product already exists - and doesn't waste energy? stuff like this should be banned with penalty taxes...
Jonathan Tillotson @ Jun 24th 2008 8:15AM
The airlines are going to LOVE this.. can you say OVERAGE CHARGE!!! And, try splitting up your bags, so you now got two checked bags.... Extra $25 each way now a days.
Elepski @ Jun 24th 2008 8:18AM
Really people?!?!... welcome to a whole new echelon of lazy....
The Webloglearner @ Jun 24th 2008 8:34AM
It's not actually laziness, it's comfort. Moreover, humans are just curious about things, such as "What if we put big wheels in luggage and then put a machine to it? Maybe we can make more money".... ^_^
The Webloglearner
The Webloglearner @ Jun 24th 2008 8:27AM
That is simply amazing! Much of comfort to travellers. Actually, as I looked at the images of these luggage packs, even without the mechanical stuff, it is already more comfortable because of the enlarged wheels making it easier to pull.
BigBloke @ Jun 24th 2008 8:55AM
You don't travel much do you...
Exactly how does it make it easier to pull because of large wheels?
I am not sure why you think this is so amazing, as there are a number of suitcases from Samsonite that already have a large wheel dia.
ronzo @ Jun 24th 2008 8:42AM
$1400?????????
I think I'll stick to the old fashioned method of moving my own luggage... thanks anyway.
John @ Jun 24th 2008 8:43AM
Two words - sapient pearwood.
Rick @ Jun 24th 2008 9:54AM
Added weight = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
AA charges $50 for bags over 50 lbs and $100 over 70 lbs on domestic plus $15 to check your first bag.
But then if you can afford bags like this you are traveling first class or got your own plane.
nate @ Jun 24th 2008 11:10AM
AA in the Western Areas charge more now.
$250 for extra baggage over 50lbs.
EMaster @ Jun 24th 2008 10:10AM
I can't wait to hear the stories of people getting harassed by airport security with these. If there is a motor inside the luggage that DEFINITELY means you HAVE A BOMB in there and that you are part of Al-Qaueda. I can't to hear some baller getting jumped by security.
Or better yet "I'm Sorry you can;t take that on the plane" But I just blew 1700 bucks on this?!
Tyson @ Jun 24th 2008 12:00PM
also an excellent point. How many people are going to gitmo for this. They were harassing people for MBA
Tyson @ Jun 24th 2008 12:03PM
( i don't know why engadget keeps blocking my comments i'll try again.)True if they stopped people with MBPs how many people will be declared enemy combatants and shipped away for this.
benmully @ Jun 24th 2008 10:19AM
Isn't luggage allowance now only 23kg?? Hardly leaves any room for your undies!!
BigBloke @ Jun 24th 2008 10:28AM
you must have big a$$ undies, or they are full of $hit
Emre Aydinceren @ Jun 24th 2008 10:30AM
Why charge the thing!!! It should be hybrid, it should store energy while you are rolling it down hill... Slap in a gyroscope so it stands up if I loose my balance, I will put down money for it.
Interpol @ Jun 24th 2008 12:33PM
They already make something like this. It's called a Segway.
Tyson @ Jun 24th 2008 11:58AM
Great idea... if you have your own private plane. I having flown on flights all over the world, the general consensus is you get about 50 lbs sometimes in 1 bad sometimes across 2 or you will pay exorbitant $50-$100 fees. At 75 lb or greater some airlines won't take it. So to make a bag that is 23.32 lbs only cuts into what you can carry which means you carry less which means you didn't need a motorized bag. I won't even tough the price because apparently they are laced with gold and lined with fabrics made with milk from a pregnant Cambodian immigrant. Not to mention in the US, Airlines are really trying to kill people with fees of $15 first the first bag and 25$ of the second $50 for the 3rd and $100 if you so happen to have a fourth. You are basically buying a second seat.