Anyone who travels regularly on business knows what a schlep it is to drag your roll-aboard cabin bag around with you for what seems like – and probably is – miles and miles of airport concourses. And terminals seem to get bigger every year.

Putting wheels on luggage was an innovative idea; one wonders why it took decades before that caught on in a big way. Then it was just a matter of time before someone added a laptop battery and a tiny electric motor, so your smart luggage could follow you around, automatically. It still raises a giggle to see people ‘summon’ their luggage, with a few taps on a smartphone.

But now there’s an even better innovation; luggage you can ride on, just like a Segway. The handle pops up to steer, and foot rests fold down over the wheels. Hop aboard, and zoom off to the gate; but please obey the speed limits.

Because your luggage, and everyone else’s, is connected to the internet of things, it never gets lost or mislaid, and collisions in the passageways are automatically avoided.

So, next time you’re sitting in the lounge, engrossed in your messages or news, and your luggage gets restive, and starts shifting about, don’t be alarmed. It’s just that they’re boarding your flight, and your bag knows it’s time to go to the gate!