Gadget of the week: Lighten the load with a piece of Live Luggage

Published on Wednesday 6 May 2009 14:37

After my snowboarding escapades of last week, my journey back home through Geneva airport was not without incident.

My bag looked like it had been overgrazing on a few too many French crepes and after taking several pounding falls on the slopes, my wrists were also suffering badly. Although usually easy to move, my bag's trusty wheels were starting to flex precariously with the weight of my clobber. After finally heaving my sack of coal onto the check-in belt and relaxing in the lounge, I was determined to find a better solution for future far-flung excursions.

Just as power steering has revolutionised the three point turn, Live Luggage's new Hybrid PA Series Bag promises to transform travel into a far less tortuous ordeal.

Let's start with what makes it no ordinary piece of luggage. Like something out of Back to the Future, it features an extendable "anti-gravity" handle that can pivot away from the case. The handle operates in a similar fashion to one of those crazy looking Segway two-wheeled vehicles made infamous by George W Bush. In short, it means that 85 per cent of the weight of the luggage is automatically balanced over the bag's two chunky wheels.

If you happen to be transporting gold bullion or have temporarily weak wrists like me, the remaining 15 per cent may still be a struggle. Fear not, the Hybrid PA's "pancake motors" come to the rescue. While strong and reliable are two words I would not normally associate with a pancake, these motors, powered by rechargable batteries, combine an intelligent torque control system with sensors in the anti-gravity handle to make luggage feel light as feather, even if you're running up and down the streets of San Francisco.

My light-hearted tone belies the impressive performance of the Hybrid PA Series Bag; it really is the ultimate travel gadget. With a modular multi-bag design, flat motor technology which kicks in whenever it senses you need an bit of extra muscle and even an umbrella included in the bag handle (nice touch), the Hybrid PA will be the first bag you look forward to trundling.

• The Live Luggage Hybrid PA Series Bag is available from John Lewis, priced 395. Visit www.johnlewis.com or www.liveluggage.com