Bluesmart suitcases make sure you never lose your luggage with built-in GPS

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New suitcases with built-in GPS can be tracked using a smartphone app
Airlines are now offering live bag-tracking services for their passengers
Travellers can purchase portable devices that can be slipped into a bag

Published: 07:25 EST, 29 September 2015 | Updated: 10:47 EST, 29 September 2015

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Lost luggage may soon become a thing of the past thanks to high-tech suitcases that send alerts to their owners and new tracking services that are being rolled out by airlines.

There was a time when travellers were left to cross their fingers after checking their luggage, but with a few taps on a smartphone or tablet they can now follow their bag’s journey from the check-in desk to the carousel to make sure it never gets lost again.

Thanks to built-in GPS devices in these intelligent products, holidaymakers can alert airline staff if it appears their luggage is heading to a different destination.

Bluesmart has a built-in GPS and battery, allowing owners to track their bags while they are in transit

One of the newest products, Bluesmart, may be the traveller’s best friend, with the ability to weigh and lock itself, and charge a mobile phone or tablet using two USB chargers.

Small enough to use as a carry-on, the 9.4lb suitcase has a built-in GPS and battery, allowing the owner to track it with an app on their electronic device.

When the suitcase is connected to a Bluetooth device, sensors will automatically lock it if they detect that it is not near its owner.

Billed as the world’s first smart, connected luggage, the TSA-approved suitcase was designed by a team in Silicon Valley and retails for $400 (approximately £265, excluding shipping costs) through Bluesmart’s website.

On an order made today a suitcase would be delivered in December, a year after the company raised $2.1million (approximately £1.3million) during a three-month crowdfunding campaign.

Bluesmart raised $2.1million (approximately £1.3million) during a three-month crowdfunding campaign

Pluggage, another connected suitcase, has set up a poll to allow users to select the features they want

Pluggage, another connected suitcase that is being developed, has set up an online vote to allow potential customers to select the features they want, including sensors that can detect whether the bag has made it onto the plane.

Like Bluesmart, the bag’s bells and whistles would be managed by an app.

While the final design and price haven’t been finalised, the bag could include weight sensors, inside lighting or speakers, or the ability to open the suitcase with a fingerprint reader on the app.

Last week, the New York-based team behind a suitcase called Trunkster began testing its design after raising just under $1.4million (£925,000) in a crowdfunding campaign.

In addition to GPS tracking, the bag boasts zipperless entry, USB charging and a built-in digital scale.

During the Kickstarter campaign, donors were promised a carry-on suitcase when they contributed $325 (£215) and a checked bag in exchange for a $350 (£230) donation.

In addition to GPS tracking, Trunkster boasts zipperless entry, USB charging and a built-in digital scale

Airlines are also getting in on the trend, with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM all offering an online bag-tracking service.

Air France and KLM, for example, use electronic tags that are attached to checked bags and allow the owners to trace their luggage if it’s lost, left behind or stolen.

Those who aren’t yet willing to upgrade to a suitcase with built-in GPS can buy a portable track device for as little as $50 (£30) and download an app to their smartphone to monitor its whereabouts.

LugLoc, a portable device, sends notifications to a smartphone, with users being charges for every trace

TUMI has partnered with AT&T and LugTrack to develop a portable device that provides real-time updates

Earlier this month TUMI, along with partners AT&T and LugTrack, announced plans for its Global Locator, a new wireless tracking device that provides travellers with real-time updates on the location of their luggage.

The compact device can be slipped into any bag, briefcase, backpack or accessory, and uses GPS, GSM, wifi and Bluetooth technology to transmit updates.

According to TUMI, the device is FAA compliant and can turn itself off when a plane is in the air and turn itself back on when the plane lands.

Other products on the market include PocketFinder and LugLoc, which sells for $70 (£45) and sends notifications to a smartphone.

But there are additional fees beyond the purchase price, as a one-year plan for unlimited traces costs $30 (£20). LugLoc said the fees are necessary as it is charged by telecom companies for every trace.