'Smart bags' may not fly if battery cannot be removed

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

#TECHNOLOGY NEWS DECEMBER 5, 2017 / 8:22 AM / UPDATED 14 HOURS AGO

'Smart bags' may not fly if battery cannot be removed

Reuters Staff
2 MIN READ

GENEVA (Reuters) - “Smart suitcases” may be able to charge mobile phones or be easily found if misplaced, but unless their battery can be removed they risk being sent packing by the world’s airlines.

Global airlines body IATA said it could issue industry-wide standards on the new luggage soon, after some U.S. airlines issued their own restrictions on smart bags, whose manufacturers include companies such as BlueSmart, Raden or Away.

These contain GPS tracking and can charge devices, weigh themselves or be locked remotely using mobile phones, but they are powered by lithium ion batteries, which the aviation industry regards as a fire risk, especially in the cargo hold.

“We expect guidance to be issued potentially this week,” Nick Careen, IATA senior vice president of airport, passenger, cargo and security, told a media briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, when asked about restrictions placed by some airlines.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-airlines-iata-smart-bags/smart-bags-may-not-fly-if-battery-cannot-be-removed-idUSKBN1DZ1TW

[brush]

1. Hmmm...guess those manufacturers should've thought of that. Is luggage that can...

charge your cell phone really necessary with charging stations all over airports?

Oh, and they can also weight themselves.

Pft, who cares, and as far as the GPS function, that won't work if you have to take the batteries out to get it on a plane.

Some serious rethinking needed.