A Chinese company recently made the headlines when it showcased a suitcase that could follow its owner like a pet. Although the luggage is still in its prototype stage with lots of issues to overcome, it has the potential to provide more convenience to travelers.

Making luggage smarter, however, is only one aspect of using the Internet of Things (IoT). New developments have emerged, and these advancements are making the luggage storage industry better by the day. So, with that in mind,
this article takes a look at some recent innovations in the industry courtesy of the IoT.

• Easier search for luggage storage facilities.
Vertoe has an online listing with 60 locations that allows you to find the luggage storage facility closest to your location. By accessing our website from a mobile device, you will be able to find out where exactly you need to go to drop off your bags.

• Better monitoring.
This benefit works both ways, as the IoT, in many ways, can be an added security feature. IoT-enabled technology can help employees of luggage storage platforms, like Vertoe, to better keep track of every luggage left for safekeeping. Clients, on the other hand, can check on their bags whenever they want to and in real time.

• Increased “visibility” to customers.
Using the IoT, luggage storage personnel can send out push notifications and similar alerts to potential clients, notably travelers in and around the area, so they can be informed that such a service exists in that particular location.
Moreover, Information Age points out that taking live video footage at a transportation terminal allows personnel to identify which people, whether customers or passengers, are most likely in need of assistance, in this case, short-term luggage storage.

• Improved communication.
IoT technology is making it increasingly possible for luggage storage reps and clients to be in constant communication. This feature is particularly important, and is directly tied to better monitoring, as it is one way for
clients to keep track of their luggage. In turn, this gives customers the peace of mind to go about their day-to- day business knowing that they can communicate easily and conveniently with their service provider anytime they want.

• Faster luggage check-in.
The emergence of the IoT has paved the way for easier information sharing, and this makes luggage check-in much easier, to the point that needless paperwork is becoming rather obsolete. This innovation is akin to the use of
electronic logging devices, which per Fleetmatics is replacing all existing paper logbooks in fleet management. A luggage manufacturer according to Dataconomy is even trying out a range of suitcases that each come with an
embedded E ink display. Once this innovation becomes commercialized, luggage storage personnel can simply use a luggage check-in tool to synchronize the bag’s tag with the owner’s flight itinerary, making the process quicker.

• Luggage management.
  The IoT is being used to great effect in luggage management as well. Forbes suggests that workers are now easily able to keep track of the products stored within their facilities using remote scanners or mobile devices. This saves
  time and manpower, since workers can now focus on other tasks instead of manually keeping track of everything.

Written by guest blogger: Aliana Cathy
Written for vertoe.com