Imagine a lightweight suitcase that not only holds your clothes and personal belongings, but also weighs itself, charges your mobile devices, enables you to track its location and alerts you when it arrives on the baggage carousel.
Raden “smart” luggage – which was unveiled Tuesday – seemingly does it all. Marketed as the smart travel bag for smart travelers, Raden aims to solve frequent-fliers’ travel headaches.
Raden founder and CEO Josh Udashkin, 32, told The Verge that he believes the smart features in Raden suitcases – and other similar smart bags – will shake up the luggage industry.
“The $40 billion luggage industry is built on providing a basic travel product, with little innovation in design and technology,” Udashkin said in a statement. “We’ve spent nearly two years in stealth mode developing a case that successfully combines design, technology and value in an effort to solve the headaches we all experience while traveling.”
Raden suitcases can be synced with a companion app that enables owners to weigh it via a sensor in the handle, track its location using a GPS mesh network and receive a push notification when it arrives at the baggage claim. The app also lets you order an Uber.
“In the hotspot of loss — the airport — Raden will be able to help locate your stuff,” Udashkin told MarketWatch.
Raden suitcases come in a 22-inch carry-on size ($295) and a 28-inch check-in size ($395). The two are sold together as a set for $595.
Raden bags are made from lightweight durable polycarbonate shells and feature four double-spinning wheels, a waterproof zipper lining, built-in TSA-approved lock, two USB ports, built-in 7,800 mAh battery, and Bluetooth. They come in seven colors.
Raden is not the only player in the smart luggage field. Bluesmart debuted its Smart Suitcase at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year. Away is another smart bag startup. Samsonite is also rumored to be developing a smart bag.
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