No need to panic over lost luggage—Airbus’s smart suitcase will tell you its location automatically

By Yvonne

% Airbus BAG2GO, no more fear of lost luggage!(Image/Screen capture fromairbus.com)

When an airline loses your luggage, it might take hours or even days to find out where your suitcase has gone. But what if a suitcase could tell you its location itself?

This“smart suitcase”can deliver on that promise—the suitcase has a built-in GPS tracking chip that sends its location to the traveler and can even directly contact the airline if it gets lost.

Conceived by Airbus, the concept was unveiled last year at the Paris Air Show. Named Bag2Go, the product can be tracked via a smartphone app, enables self-check-in, and even measures the weight of the luggage to ensure it meets airline limits.

AT&T (T, Tech30) also revealed a similar concept at the May trade show, dubbed “next-generation technologies.” The company envisions integrating a small tag that links standard-sized suitcases and bags. The ultimate plan is to integrate luggage with the airline’s IT system so it can directly contact airline staff and arrange to have the luggage delivered to the traveler’s home.

However, these products are still in development and require government approval. But travelers are sure to appreciate this latest innovation. According to government statistics, U.S. airlines lose 141,000 bags a month—that’s about three lost bags per 1,000 passengers.