I have seen Hop!, the “suitcase of the future,” and I am not so sold on it. I am impressed with the technology, but I question its practicality.

Hop! is a suitcase that follows the user. Basically, it uses signals from the owner’s cell phone to “direct” it to follow your path. If the signal is lost, the suitcase automatically locks itself and an alert is sent to your phone. Its name is derived from hotel bellhops, who bring your luggage to you. It sounds cool and helpful, but I question the functionality and need for it.

How does it handle bumps in the road, such as small inconveniences a person would simply walk over? Flooring transitions, cracks, spills and more could upturn the luggage, forcing you to stop and reset.

Also, what if Hop! becomes wildly popular? I cannot envision an airport with thousands of these suitcases following travelers. It seems like a plan for chaos, with suitcases bumping into each other and falling like dominoes.

There is also the possibility of theft. I realize the suitcase is only an arm’s length away, but it is behind the user and ripe for picking by a thief.

I am not against new ideas and technology. I am for anything that makes life easier. I guess, if nothing else, Hop! has piqued my curiosity. Maybe my fears are unwarranted and considerations for these possibilities have already been made. I am interested in seeing how Hop! works out.

— John Wroblewski, online contributor