This summer, we say goodbye to flipping through heavy guidebooks, cumbersome maps and stressing over how many swimsuits are too many. Today’s travelers are embracing technology that makes planning, packing, and navigating easier. Whether you’re lounging on a beach or trekking through the mountains, here are five tech innovations that I think will give a smart twist to your summer vacation.
AI-powered travel planning tools
Gone are the days of endless Google searches and overwhelming travel guides. Meet your new best friends: AI travel planning tools. ChatGPT and TripHobo are here to simplify your life. ChatGPT uses AI to suggest personalized destinations, accommodations, and activities based on your preferences and past travels. TripHobo takes it a step further with customizable itineraries that fit your interests, budget, and time constraints.
For those who dread packing,I present to you Packpoint. Just by entering your destination, dates, and trip type, Packpoint, using weather data and local insights, crafts a personalized packing list. It’s like having a personal assistant.
Let me set the scene for you, my girl’s trip to Italy is coming up, and while packing can definitely be exciting, packing wrong can be a nightmare. Enter PackPoint. I download the app on my phone, and it asks me to fill in my destination: Arma di Taggia, Liguria. I enter the dates and choose leisure activities like swimming, beach outings and fancy dinners (why not?). In a matter of seconds, I get a comprehensive packing list that includes contact lenses fluid, books, 11 pairs of socks and six casual tops. Pretty impressive. The app also offers more customisation and additional features with the upgraded version, but I think this will suffice for me.
Roll in style: High tech luggage
Ready to upgrade your travel gear? Say hello to smart luggage. Brands like Away and Samsonite are leading the charge with built-in GPS, USB charging ports, and weight sensors. Away’s luggage features a removable battery for on-the-go charging, while Samsonite’s GeoTrakR allows you to track your suitcase from anywhere in the world.
But innovation doesn’t stop there. Imagine gliding through the airport on your suitcase. Well, this trolley-turned-electric-scooter, courtesy of Airwheel SE3S, is no longer a dream but a new travel reality. How about a suitcase that follows you around like a loyal travel companion? ForwardX Ovis does just that with its AI-powered self-driving technology.
Sunglasses that do more
Smart sunglasses are making travel more convenient and stylish. Asides from the already-useful task of blocking UV-light and making you look cool and mysterious, Smart sunglases have a bunch of useful tools included in them. For instance, Bose Frames and Vue Smart Glasses combine the classic fashionable eyewear with advanced technology. Bose Frames let you listen to music, take calls, and get navigation directions via Bluetooth. Vue Smart Glasses offer similar features plus activity tracking and voice assistant integration, all while looking like regular shades.
And then there’s the standout: Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses. These have a 12-megapixel camera for snapping photos on the go, open-ear speakers for directions, and an intelligent assistant you can chat with by saying, “Hey Meta.” It even allows you to ask questions about what you are seeing at the moment.
No more lost in translation
A trip to Spain but ‘yo no hablo Spanish?’. At some point, you have to ask for directions, opening times, or the spice level of the tapas. How do you successfully overcome a conversation in which neither you nor the other person speaks a common language? Hola pocket translators.
These nifty devices translate between languages in real time, making communication with locals a breeze. Pocketalk, for instance, is a small iPod looking-like device that can translate 74 languages in real-time using two-way voice translation. For a more discreet translation device there are also innovations like Timekettle M3, an earbud translator.
Let’s not forget Samsung’s AI tool Interpreter, perfect for multilingual conversations on the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6. These two phones are now capable of letting two people have a multilingual conversation using the dual screen design on both devices. Its live translate offers translations between languages for messages and calls in real time.
Recently, talks came out about the possibility of Samsung expanding its AI-powered ‘Live Translate’ feature to WhatsApp – allowing for real-time multilingual conversations through the app.
Stay powered with portable solar chargers
For the eco-conscious traveler, portable solar chargers like Anker PowerPort Solar and Goal Zero Nomad sustainably keep your devices charged. These chargers feature high-efficiency panels and USB ports, quickly charging your devices using sunlight, ensuring you stay connected while reducing your environmental footprint.
When it comes to gadgets, we are going a step further with solar charging devices like your classic camping torch. Consider a solar-powered backpack. It’s like having a mini power station on your back, perfect for adventurers who spend a lot of time outdoors.
With these innovative travel tech essentials, your summer vacation is set to be smarter, smoother. So, pack your bags (smartly, of course), and get ready to explore the world with a tech-savvy twist!
