While vacations are usually packed with good times and positive vibes, there are certain aspects of taking a trip that can make you think,”ugh, I wish there was another way.” Well, we have some good news and some bad news for the everyday traveler. The good news is we’ve come up with futuristic travel gadgets so revolutionary that you’ll never have travel anxiety ever again. The bad news? These gadgets do not currently exist. That being said, since chances of robots ruling the earth one day are relatively high, the existence of these gadgets is most likely imminent. Remember, you heard about ’em here first.
The Self-packing Suitcase
You have to pack for your trip, but it’s legitimately the last thing you want to do. Thankfully, with this handy travel gadget, you simply enter specific details into your laptop (destination, single or packing for two, number of children, etc.), and the Self-Packing Suitcase will transcribe that data and assemble the perfect assortment of clothes and accessories. Once selected, it will fold, stack and color coordinate everything, making unpacking and choosing outfits a breeze. After wearing, toss the worn clothing into a separate compartment and the Self-Packing Suitcase will decide if the item can be worn again, or if it’s best (for everyone) if it hits the laundry first. This gadget is a dream for both the slow-moving procrastinators AND the organizationally obsessed.
The Hang-under
Think of this gadget as a Fitbit….for hangovers. Instead of calculating boring things like heart rate and steps taken, the Hang-under keeps track of your alcohol intake, lets you know when to alternate a glass of water with that margarita, have a snack and ultimately call it a night. Rest assured, with the Hang-under, a hangover will not be taking up residency in your body. And, if all of those night-of alerts don’t work? Satisfaction guaranteed, or your money back… in the form of cheeseburgers. This gadget’s GPS will help you find the closest providers of greasy food, strong coffee and headache medicine. A modern day miracle on your wrist.
The Vacation-hopping Closet
Have you ever arrived at your destination only to realize that it is a little less than paradise? Maybe the weather is terrible or you were catfished by a hotel that ended up looking nothing like its pictures. With the handy ‘Vacation Hopping’ device, all you need is a nearby closet and a new location in mind. Once those two things are in place, you can simply “Chronicles of Narnia” your way to a completely different vacation. No fuss, no muss. This device may be a ways away (science has yet to crack teleportation), but we have our fingers crossed.
The Bad Habit Silencer
This gadget is like noise-cancelling headphones, but for specific annoying indiscretions. Place these headphones over your ears and select your pet peeve preference. From there, only the particular habit you have chosen will be blocked out during your flight/train/bus ride. Don’t want to hear that wailing baby? Gone. Can’t handle the loud chewer beside you? Buh-bye. Refuse to listen to that teenager abuse their privilege of the word “literally?” Make it so with the silencer, and enjoy your flight in peace and quiet. Literally. (Music optional.)
The Jet-lag Eraser
You’ve been there before. One day you are having the time of your life in some distant locale, and the next you’re back at home, watching reruns of “Seinfeld” at four in the morning, trying to lull yourself into some resemblance of a slumber before returning to the real world (which is hard enough with a full eight hours of sleep). The change in lifestyle and timezone has your body thrown for a loop and you’d promise to name your first-born ‘Sleep,’ if only you could get some. Enter the Jet-leg Eraser. A helmet-like device that tells your brain to rejig itself in a way that erases any semblance of jet-leg. Sure, it may interfere with a memory or two, but — sleep, glorious sleep! Think of your post-vacation experience as officially upgraded.
You’ll be ready for your next trip in no time.
What travel gadget do you wish existed? Share with us in the comments.
Feature image: istockphoto/Rohappy