Good Thinking

Airwheel ride-on suitcase lets your luggage lug you around

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The Airwheel is a motorized suitcase that can be ridden on
Airwheel
The Airwheel is a motorized suitcase that can be ridden on
Airwheel
The Airwheel ride-on luggage has a 28-liter capacity and a customizable lighting system
Airwheel

When running through an airport, your luggage becomes a liability dragging along behind you. A new ride-on suitcase called the Airwheel, currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, can let your luggage lug you around for a change.

Companies like Trunki have been making ride-on suitcases for kids for years, and later dabbled in adapting them for adults too. And the appeal of the idea is hard to deny – who wouldn’t want to glide to their terminal atop their luggage, rather than trying to drag it while you’re running?

The Airwheel is designed to fulfill that fantasy, sporting an electric motor, rechargable battery and a steering rig the company likens to motorbike handlebars. The accelerator and brake take the form of buttons on the grip, and the 4-in (10-cm) wheels are apparently shock-absorbing and tough enough to handle bumps and scrapes. The outer frame is made of an aluminum alloy that can support riders weighing up to 130 kg (286 lb).

At max speed the case can get up to 10 km/h (6.2 mph), and the battery will last one hour at that speed. The company says that not only is this faster than other ride-on suitcases, but the more upright sitting position is more comfortable and natural than the hunched-over posture of others.

If you need to go farther, the battery can be swapped out easily. Or if you’ve got the juice to spare, you can use it like a portable power bank to charge phones or other devices through the two USB ports.

The Airwheel ride-on luggage has a 28-liter capacity and a customizable lighting system
Airwheel

As for how well it works as luggage, the Airwheel has a 28-liter capacity, a net weight of 7.5 kg (16.5 lb) including the battery, and a form that’s compact enough to be stuffed in an overhead compartment. The company also says it’s TSA, FAA and IATA compliant, with a three-digit combination lock.

For a touch of customization, the Airwheel connects to an app which lets users set up colors and patterns of lights. There’s also a search mode to help you find it on a luggage carousel.

That said, making the case transparent is a bit of a weird design choice. If you’re already drawing attention to yourself, the last thing you’d want is to air your dirty laundry – literally – for the whole airport to see.

The Airwheel has already surpassed its goal on Kickstarter, with 44 days remaining on the campaign. Pledges start at US$459, and if all goes to plan shipping should begin in Februayr 2023.

Check out the Airwheel in the video below.

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Source: Kickstarter

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6 comments
PAV
Having been burned by crowd funding in the past, I'll wait to buy retail. Definitely interested though, but certainly not with a see through panel. Hopefully the charger is built in and the chord is retractable like on my iron.
Trylon
Quite a few years ago, some design student came up with an idea to basically attach the back half of a scooter to a two-wheeled rolling suitcase with a battery pack inside, turning it into a three-wheel electric scooter. Flip down the platform from one face of the suitcase and the wheels on the suitcase became the front wheels of the scooter and the telescopic handle would become a handlebar. I thought it was neat and would be a great way to get around an airport, but then again, the large built-in lithium battery would probably mean it would be banned as a carry-on.
ljaques
Until the TSA bans them...
Gerry Lavell
At 7.5kg nett it's already over the 7kg carry-on weight limit so the fact that it fits an overhead locker is totally irrelevant and the unit is thus consigned to hold luggage and not able to transport you beyond luggage check-in.
zort
Kids will love it but I'd feel silly as hell riding one of those in public.
--Note the shots of bystanders pointing and laughing (truth in advertising, huh)?
Rustgecko
I note they don't put the size of the battery because it'll be much to large for a plane. But, self propelled baggage is already specifically illegal on passenger aircraft. These bags must be shipped as freight.