We’ve all been there – you’re traveling to somewhere and, with luggage in hand, have to go from the airport parking lot to the check-in desk, then through X-ray and then to your gate. And if you have “Joe and Sharon luck,” your gate is guaranteed to be THE LAST ONE, on the very far end, because reasons. Little kids have the right idea…be in a stroller or a baby carrier, or heck, just ride on the luggage. Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Well, now you can! It’s called…
Modobag! And it’s the world’s first motorized, rideable luggage!
Photo via https://www.facebook.com/modobag/
Part carry-on suitcase and part motorized vehicle, Modobag is said to be the world’s first hybrid luggage. It has an extendable handle so you can pull or push it like a traditional wheeled carry-on bag, but if you want to ride on it, you can just lower the bag into its riding position, jump on the built-in seating area and hit the throttle!
Modobag’s features include:
- Size of typical U.S. carry on bag: 22″ long x 9″ wide x 14″ tall
- 1800 cubic inches of interior stowing capacity (roughly 85% of a similarly sized non-motorized bag)
- Telescoping handlebars (used to throttle, brake and steer) for easy setup
- Custom, precision brake assembly
- Custom wheels made of high-performance polyuethane, with sealed ball bearings throughout
- Quick release, slip resistant foot pegs for stability
- UL approved smart charger (you can expect over 4000 full charge cycles)
- Cushioned seat
- Dual 5V USB ports
- Outside pockets to quickly stow tablet and phone
- Crushproof laptop compartment
Built by hand in Chicago, Modobag’s top speed is 8mph and has indoor and outdoor settings for speed control. It weighs 20 lbs. and has a range of 6 miles per charge (based on an 180 lb. rider. Maximum rider weight is 260 lbs.). The bag meet the regulations for the FAA, TSA and IATA, and passes and exceeds UN 38.3 safety tests.
An Indigogo fundraising campaign for Modobag started in July 2016 and their goal was reached in less than 48 hours. In fact, thanks to news reports on/in Good Morning America, CNBC, Forbes, Popular Mechanics, Univision, CNet and dozens of other print, television and online media entities, by the end of the campaign in September of that year, they had reached their goal several times over! Production soon began and after some hiccoughs with quality control and delays of some parts, shipping began in late summer 2017, with the first bags going, rightly so, to their earliest Indigogo backers. Once all the backers have received their Modobags, they should be available to the rest of us, for a cool $1,400 each, so we can ride our luggage into the sunset. Or to the gate, at least.
Tip of the hat to JoAnne H. for the inspiration for this post!
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
