Basque inventor creates Hop, the following suitcase

A Basque inventor has created an intelligent suitcase that that follows the user. The prototype, receives a signal from the user's cell phone and follows him at a distance of 80 centimeters.

The suitcase contains three receivers that are able to receive, identify and triangulate different signals coming from the user's cell phone. A microcontroller interprets these signals calculating the phone's position regarding to the suitcase. The same microcontroller operates a caterpillar system based on compressed air, which follows the user at a constant distance.

If the signal is lost the user is alerted by the vibration of the phone and suitcase locks itself. The bags can be programmed to follow one to another or are controlled jointly by the staff that handles the baggage at airports or stations.

Rodrigo García, inventor of the prototype, made it to the final of an international contest. It is still a long time until the suitcase goes on sale.