The £700 motorised 'anti-gravity' suitcase that feels empty and will text you when it gets lost

With its pioneering 'anti-gravity' technology, the case is designed to ease the strain on travellers by making weighty luggage feel as light as an empty case.

The PA Case is fitted with tiny motors in each wheel, which switch on automatically the moment you tug on the handle.

The electric suitcase then centres the weight of the baggage directly over its wheels, rather than on your arm, meaning it feels virtually weightless.

The luggage features motorised wheels and can reach running speed

The cutting-edge valise, which costs £700, can travel up to running speed and will cover a mile and a half when fully loaded on each battery charge.

Its British makers, Live Luggage, claim that even when the case is crammed with 30kg of baggage, it only feels like hauling a bag weighing 3kg.

And each case has its own laser-etched serial number, so that if lost, the finder can contact Live Luggage, who will then email or text the owner with details of its location.

The 94-litre capacity suitcase works by providing varying levels of power to the wheels, depending on how hard the user pulls it along.

Pressure sensors built into the handle monitor how hard the case is pulled and the engines then provide a set amount of torque to compensate.

The PA case promises to put an end to airport struggles thanks to it's pioneering 'anti-gravity' set-up

It also features an 'anti-gravity' handle system, which works by balancing the bulk of the case over the wheels, like a wheel barrow.

Sensors on the handle increase power if the slope gets steeper or if the user walks faster.

And the engines are automatically switched off if the case is accidentally dropped or let go, so it won't run away from you.

The suitcase was today unveiled at the company's headquarters in Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, after five years of development.

Live Luggage's marketing manager, Clive Hemsley, said: 'Going on holiday or on a business trip can be hell if you have to carry a heavy case.

'The problem isn't so much rolling across the marble floors of an airport, but all the other obstacles in between.

'Dragging a fully-laden case up slopes or across bumpy surfaces when travelling between stations, airports, taxis and hotels can be incredibly tiring.

'This case eliminates that stress by feeling almost weightless.

'This means it can be carried by anyone from the age of five to 85. It should revolutionise the way we travel.' 

Mr Hemsley added: 'Wheelie cases were a great step forward, but they came out 25 years ago, and this is the first real innovation since then.

'It's only recently become possible to make batteries and motors that are strong enough and light enough to make powered cases viable.

'Power assistance means no more struggling with heavy cases and no more neck, back or shoulder aches.' 

The tough plastic suitcase weighs 10kg when empty and is powered by a rechargeable 12 volt battery pack hidden in the base.

It is recharged using a plug-in charger similar to those for mobile phones.

The wheels are large enough to roll over gravel rather than drag through it, and the rubber treads roll smoothly over cobbles.

The case is also fitted with rails which allow it to slide up steps or kerbs and into public transport more easily.

The cases are available to order from the company's website liveluggage.com.