Reports out of Russia indicate that a battery-powered motorised suitcase which automatically follows its owner will be on the market in 2009*.

No escape from dirty laundry.

Russia-Infocentre says the Terry Pratchett-style mobile, smart luggage will track a "sensor-card" carried by its user. The manufacturers seem to indicate that the card will sound an alarm if the suitcase gets lost.

The case itself will feature a gyroscope, ultrasonic and infrared sensor technology, and onboard software allowing it to handle inclined surfaces and sudden drop-offs. The battery - with built-in multi-national charger - will hold enough juice for "two hour traffic", and best of all the case will feature a "water resistant hull" able to hold 30kg of cargo.

The makers say the design is named "Tony", after a famed Canadian robo-luggage designer. They reckon the waterproof gyroscope ultrasonic infrared electric suitcase would cost just 49,000 roubles (£965).®

*Pinch of salt.

Related stories

• NASA: Mars is good habitat for Terry Pratchett dragons (6 August 2008)
• Russian railways in robot repairman revue (21 December 2007)
• Terry Pratchett has Alzheimer's (13 December 2007)
• Hitachi 'collision avoidance' bot does a Ballmer at press do (23 November 2007)
• Lifelike, sexy robot infiltrators influence Belgian mobs (16 November 2007)
• Heathrow to trial RFID tags (6 July 2007)
• Thailand sacks randy sniffer dogs (11 June 2007)
• Episode 44 The Bastard's guide to airport security (28 December 2006)
• UK air passengers feel safer (28 September 2006)