Recently, I embarked on another adventure in China, visiting the factories and showrooms of prominent micromobility companies, and I’ll be sharing more about this experience soon. On the verge of departing from Shanghai’s airport, I chanced upon an innovative motorized carry-on suitcase that doubles as a seated electric scooter. I ended up purchasing it on the spot.
As I endeavored to transport the object a staggering 8,000 kilometers – approximately 5,000 miles – back home.
This time it’s for actual
Here is the rewritten text:
“I’m pleased to report that I’ve personally bought and tested this product, as evident from a humorous review video showcasing its performance across three international airports.” I wholeheartedly endorse this option, should you happen to have a spare two minutes on your hands.
This post deviates from my popular Awesomely Bizarre Alibaba Electric Car of the Week series, where I humorously critique several unusual and impressive EVs found on China’s leading e-commerce platform, displayed safely on my computer screen. During my evaluation process, an innovative idea occurred to me – designing a motorized suitcase, which I successfully implemented and submitted on Alibaba. My decision was fueled by the realization that I would be presenting my findings to this community shortly. Finally, we’re here!
While motorized luggage has long fascinated internet users, its high price point has consistently proved prohibitive. Wouldn’t the thrill of a premium e-bike surpass the novelty of motorized luggage transporters? As the price tag exceeded my budget, I couldn’t fathom spending nearly $900 on such an elaborate device, leaving me resigned to forgo the opportunity to experience it.
Until I walked past a shop promoting them at Shanghai airport. For a brief period, I managed to secure this item for a remarkably affordable 3,000 RMB, roughly equivalent to around $411 USD. Despite being a relatively low value, it’s still more than half off the typical price found in the West.
Powered by rechargeable batteries, the motorized suitcase scooter employs a compact, lightweight design to effortlessly transport your luggage across distances. Its ergonomic handlebars allow for comfortable steering, while the adjustable height feature accommodates riders of varying stature. A simple on/off switch and throttle control enable smooth acceleration, reaching speeds of up to 8 miles per hour.
This sturdy rolling suitcase is an honest choice for beginners. With its generous 26-liter storage capacity, robust telescoping handle, and large rear-rolling wheels, this suitcase can be easily maneuvered around like a standard trolley bag.
As you flip the growth toggle, the scooter’s frame unfolds from beneath, and you’ll slide the handlebars upwards to transform it into a purposeful, rideable scooter. The compact platform situated beneath the carrying handle features a tiny seating area, while the intuitive thumb control on the handlebars is activated by pressing the lever, thereby initiating the electric motor housed within the solitary wheel. The left thumb lever serves as the electronic brake, utilizing simple motor braking without physical brakes. To engage reverse gear, hold both thumb levers simultaneously.
The paradoxical approach to tackling multiple challenges simultaneously, rather than allowing for focused dedication to each individual issue, caught me off guard with its unexpected success. The suitcase performs admirably, despite having some of its internal compartments taken up by the scooter’s frame. You also receive the added benefit of the suitcase’s battery functioning like a portable power bank, allowing you to charge your devices on-the-go, which is another innovative feature. While functioning well as a scooter, its comfort level is moderate at best, with some users finding the seating arrangement slightly constricted.
The zipper on this bag seems flimsy and I worry it might be the first component to fail, rendering the bag useless for carrying items; despite this, it functions adequately until that point.
What’s the ideal pace for your travels: leisurely strolling or hastened hurry? A top-notch motorized suitcase scooter can effortlessly bridge this gap, whisking you away to your destination in style and ease.
Here is the rewritten text in a professional style:
The Airwheel SE3S suitcase boasts impressive speed capabilities, with advertised top speeds of up to 13 kilometers per hour or approximately 8 miles per hour. As my odyssey from China unfolded, it commenced in Shanghai, where I embarked on a brief but enlightening escapade, only to realize that I had mistakenly set my luggage to its central energy mode rather than its maximum setting.
Despite the initial hesitation, I still managed to have a blast zooming around the airport on my scooter, exceeding the pace of pedestrians ambling along the moving sidewalks, so the central gear remained remarkably swift.
After arriving at my connection point in Abu Dhabi, I discovered that I could fully optimize my travel experience by downloading a mobile application. As I recall, I leveraged all available power from my front motor’s 300-watt capacity to propel myself at an impressive speed of 13 km/h. As I sped along, I’d often encounter the metal growth joints in the airport’s flooring, which would cause my 1992 Wh battery to dislodge from its connector, resulting in a brief loss of power. I turned around and gave the battery another push before everything was back to normal again. It exclusively manifested in the highest energy state, happening when I encountered significant road imperfections under intense pressure.
When navigating obstacles at high speeds, be prepared for brief power outages. This luggage is decidedly superior to the wheeled case I’d normally use.
Honestly, I’m astonished that the component was capable of delivering 300 watts via a small barrel connector – much easier to visualize in the accompanying video.
It’s unlikely that the system would overheat, as the designers have likely specified high-performance copper components and adequate heat dissipation on both sides to ensure smooth operation. Given the circumstances, perhaps it’s reasonable that the e-bike isn’t producing 300W, as going 13 km/h on a flat surface doesn’t require an enormous amount of energy?
I also discovered various features available within the app, including modifying the hue of the LED lights on the scooter and operating the suitcase wirelessly from my smartphone. What an amusing thought experiment: picturing the surreal moment when, with just a tap on your phone, your luggage suddenly takes off without you!
While each option initially appeared to be a novelty, I didn’t really experiment much with them in practice.
As I checked the app, I was astonished to see that my suitcase had navigated around 3 kilometers – approximately 2 miles – within the confines of the Shanghai and Abu Dhabi airports; a peculiar metric to ascribe to a piece of luggage, yet I felt an inexplicable sense of pride.
While some airlines may permit checked luggage powered by electric motors, regulations surrounding their use onboard aircraft are less clear. In most cases, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) discourage passengers from bringing power-driven devices onto flights due to safety concerns about fire risks, electromagnetic interference, and potential damage to aircraft systems.
I’ve never experienced an issue with the bag previously, but it was briefly pulled aside for additional screening in Abu Dhabi nonetheless. Despite being deemed defective, the battery still managed to find its way into the reject pile following a thorough X-ray examination.
When a burly Emirati man in navy fatigues effortlessly lifted my suitcase off the ground and conveyed it to the inspection counter, his keen eyes scanned the PC display’s contents before delivering a decisive verdict: “You’re clear to proceed.” No further inspection. With the battery reinstalled, I rode off into the unknown.
With its 92Wh battery perfectly aligned with the standard 100Wh limit set by most airlines for lithium-ion batteries in carry-on luggage, there’s no other reason why this wouldn’t qualify as a standard carry-on bag. Some airlines have prohibited hoverboards and other rideables, making it crucial to verify before travel; fortunately, I encountered no issues at three international airports.
The journey hadn’t yet reached its culmination.
As I concluded my odyssey with a flight from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv, my trusty Airwheel suitcase once again demonstrated its exceptional performance. As I effortlessly retrieved my luggage from the overhead storage compartment, I felt a sense of nostalgia wash over me as I rocked back and forth with the same fluid motion that had characterized my hasty exit from the plane.
Since my final destination was Ben Gurion Airport, it didn’t mean I was done exploring. After I arrived at the airport, I grabbed a taxi for a quick ride to a nearby stop about two kilometers from my home, and then attempted to wheel my luggage the rest of the way myself. I’m uncertain why I might have achieved such a disappointing range, considering the battery’s advertised capacity of around 8 kilometers (5 miles) per charge; still, it seemed remarkably sluggish in practice. I propelled myself forward on a Lime scooter, accompanied by my companion, as we continued our journey at a brisk 25 km/h (15 mph) pace.
As I approached my home, I paused to adjust my luggage, then walked the last few hundred metres back in style. To confidently navigate, I was able to stroll effortlessly up the wheelchair-accessible ramp into the foyer of my building, step smoothly into the elevator, exit in reverse, and make my way straight to my apartment door.
With ease, I navigated the suitcase from its departure at Shanghai’s airport store to my final destination, relying on only a handful of modes of transportation: planes, buses, and a Lime scooter to complete the journey.
What’s the decision?
For just over US$400, I struggle to justify the expense, let alone consider purchasing it, at least in my books. I’m sure many would agree that it laborered nicely and was tremendous enjoyable, but one wonders whether this text is indeed tailored to its intended audience.
For individuals experiencing difficulty traversing the often daunting expanse of an airport, utilizing this convenient transportation method can prove a more appealing alternative for navigating the terminal.
While boasting an Amazon value of roughly $900, I find it challenging to label this as a “purchase”. I don’t regret the experience, and despite knowing I’ll likely sell it at a significant loss to recoup my initial investment, I won’t second-guess myself over the decision. While initially ambivalent, I’m now convinced that this product is worth its Amazon-listed price due to the unexpected value found in purchasing directly from the Chinese supplier at a significantly discounted rate, which surprised me into considering making a purchase myself. As I reflect on my situation, I wonder what the cost would be if I had haggled for a better rate at the airport in China.
I suppose my next adventure will take me back to China, where I’ll delve into the mystery of…
