Samsung and Samsonite working on smart luggage that can check itself in

“Smart luggage” is not an entirely new concept, but Samsung and Samsonite, a purely coincidental name, are looking to make the formula much more popular with a new range of affordable and more accessible smart bags.

The two aim to provide luggage with embedded microprocessors that can be tracked through GPS, which you may appreciate if you’ve ever lost a bag at an airport, and can offer anti-tampering alerts to warn you if someone has attempted to open your bag. Presumably, Samsung is getting involved to provide the mobile link to your luggage and will be providing much of the behind the scenes software, while Samsonite will be looking to integrate the technology into some of its existing bags or a new range.

‘Smart luggage will be able to communicate with you but it needs to be able to do much more than just give its location’ … ‘We are working with Samsung to create something that is more than a gimmick.’ – Samsonite chief executive Ramesh Tainwala

Furthermore, Samsonite is working with airlines on a self-check-in feature, which will automatically provide the airport with baggage information to ensure the correct destination and airline, and to check the bag’s weight against any limits. Talks with Emirates, Lufthansa and KLM Air France are said to be in the works.

If you’re looking for something even more futuristic, the firm is also working on a project to develop ‘self-propelling’ luggage. But it’s not really that practical yet, as the engine takes up a third of the bag’s space and weighs 20 kilos!