Russian specialists intend to become first in the world to launch mass production of robots-suitcases that are able to follow their owner in footsteps. In order to make the mechanism follow its owner, it is enough for the person to put a sensor-card into a pocket and the suitcase will dutifully roll after the owner.
      
      A gyroscope, light sensitive detectors, ultrasound and infrared sensors help the smart suitcase bypass obstacles, to roll in conditions of an inclined surface, and to stop when stumbling upon the edges of staircases and balconies. The robot-suitcase’s accumulator charge is said to be enough for non-stop operation during 2 hours.
      
      The suitcase developers (Robotronic.ru) have given the mechanism a human name – Tony. One of the inventions of the Canadian specialist Peter Yeadon became the prototype for the innovation created by his Russian colleagues.
      
      Now the suitcase creators are going to check whether there is demand for their invention. The preliminary set price for the smart suitcase is 49000 RUB (around US$1960). It is planned that the first robot-suitcase will be sold in 2009.
      
      Source: www.travel.ru