In 1946, the Italian car manufacturer Piaggio made travelling by two wheels a cool pursuit by inventing the Vespa. Now its US offshoot, Piaggio Fast Forward, has embraced convenience, and invented a small blue robot on wheels that will follow you around and carry your stuff. Gita (the Italian word for “outing”) can hold 20kg (a case of wine, some hand luggage, a bounty of snacks or a five-year-old). It won’t be available until 2019, however, and only if it’s a staycation, because it’s unclear if this two-foot-high two-wheeler will be allowed on planes. But it’s a start … So what other inventions might make holidaying more bearable?
Smart glasses
On arrival at your destination, they switch to the local language and project phrases of your choice across them, such as “I am lost” and “Are you showing the World Cup here?”
Home spray
Developed by specialists, it captures the scent of your home or a loved one to spray on your pillow if you get homesick.
A tranquilising stun gun
For use on all forms of public transport to avoid boredom, children, discomfort, jetlag, etc. Enter age, weight and how long you want to be out for, and it’ll calculate exactly how many electrodes you need.
Alarmed flip-flops
If someone tries to steal them, your phone vibrates.
An easy-fit catheter
In case someone falls asleep next to you on the plane. More polite than waking up a stranger, and reusable if you follow the hygiene guidelines.
Online beach booking
Split the beach into a few hundred identical-sized areas, clearly define said areas using lasers, then let people use the free hotel wifi to ensure that spot 12 in row D is theirs and theirs only for three hours the following day. Add swimming for €5.
USB ports in all plug sockets
No need for an adaptor. How does this not already exist? How?
