Pixelsumo is a blog about interaction, with an emphasis on play, installation, video game culture, playgrounds and toys. Written by Chris O'Shea.
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Posted February 21st 2007 under Toys
Trunki is the world’s first ride-on suitcase for 3-6 year olds. Invented by Bristol based product designer Rob Law in 1998, now as his company Magmatic Design (founded in 2003), this product is aimed at keeping children happy whilst travelling through airports. Read this interview with Rob on how it started.
Retailing at £25, the Trunki is light weight at 1.7kg, strong (can hold 2 toddlers), fits within hand luggage restrictions, can hold 18 litres and has protective edges to save little fingers. Whats really interesting is the types of play that it can give, such as a child sitting and pushing with their feet holding the horn grips, or being pulled along by the parents using the strong towing strap, or pulling it along themselves like a slow pet. It also has some form of built in stabiliserson the front and back.
Trunki has just been commended at the UK Design Week awards and is also sold at the Museum Of Modern Art store in New York. Its certainly been getting lots of press and awards.
Why do I blog this?
Rob has taken a boring everyday item, given it a dual purpose and turned it into a playful object. Something I’m very interested in and this product is a great example.
Comments
(February 22nd 2007)
Trunki is really a well designed product- it has both : play + utilitarian value.
seems very interesting.
(February 22nd 2007)
didn’t this appear on dragons den a while back? did they go for it in the end?!
(February 22nd 2007)
I think the Dragons didn’t like it, I didnt see the programme but I read online somewhere that one of the adults sat on it and yanked at the handle with adult strength breaking it. Im glad they didnt go for it and that its now a success.
(February 23rd 2007)
Yes, I saw that episode. Probably I have it recorded as well if someone is interested.
(July 3rd 2007)
Hi there!
I just wanted to get in contact with you to say a BIG thank you for talking about Trunki in your blog. Your blog has really helped spread the word about our quest to bust the boredom out of traveling for thousands of cheeky little people across the world and the Trunki’s really appreciate it!
Lots of new things are happening over at Trunki HQ and i’ve got some really exciting news about a posh NEW Trunki and Terrance and Trixie’s web adventures. I’d love to tell you more so if you’re interested, please contact me at dave@trunki.co.uk for a chat.
Best Regards
Dave
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