Floh: Revolutionizing Travel Luggage

Designer Rohan Siebel's Innovative Luggage System Wins Prestigious A' Design Award

The Floh system is a versatile travel companion that can be ridden as a scooter, rolled as a trolley bag, or worn as a backpack or shoulder bag. The heart of the system is the Drive Module, a 3-wheeled scooter that employs Ackerman type steering, allowing for smooth navigation around obstacles at both low and high speeds. The system includes two different bags that can be attached to the Drive Module: a larger hard-shell case with concealed backpack straps and a smaller messenger-type bag.

Creating Floh was a journey of exploration and innovation for Siebel, who collaborated with numerous factories to find the right production techniques and materials. The Drive Module, for instance, is made from a short strand glass fibre reinforced nylon, chosen for its high stiffness and ability to withstand high-stress areas while maintaining small part sizes. The larger bag features deep vacuum-formed features, requiring the creation of a new system to prevent the film from stretching too thin during the forming process.

One of the unique mechanisms of the Floh system is the helical slot in the rear wheel mount. This feature allows the wheel to rotate 90 degrees, enabling it to have a large diameter for fast rolling when the board is out and to lie flat against the bag when folded up. Another mechanism automatically locks the steering when the board is folded up, ensuring the bag doesn't veer off course when used as a trolley.

The design process for Floh was a monumental task, given its unique nature and the numerous complexities involved. Siebel had to consider various factors, including the riding experience, foldability, ease of transformation, durability, size, weight, cost constraints, and safety aspects. Despite these challenges, the outcome is a product that is not only functional and innovative but also aesthetically pleasing and award-winning.

With Floh, Rohan Siebel has truly revolutionized the concept of travel luggage. This innovative design, which combines practicality with style, is a testament to Siebel's ingenuity and commitment to pushing the boundaries of design. It's no wonder that Floh was awarded the Platinum A' Fashion and Travel Accessories Design Award in 2017, an accolade that recognizes world-class, exceptional, and highly innovative designs.