Amateur inventor He Liangcai rides on his battery-powered multi-functional suitcase on Wednesday in Changsha, Hunan Province. He has acquired a patent for this invention from the State government. Photo: CFP

An amateur inventor has built a battery-powered suitcase that not only helps transport his belongings, but also himself.

He Liangcai of Central China's Hunan Province demonstrated the mobile luggage arriving at a Changsha train station on Monday, where he rode the invention to his home a dozen kilometers away. 

Weighing seven kilograms, He's scooter suitcase is capable of carrying two people and can travel up to 20 kilometers per hour for a distance of 50 to 60 kilometers on a full charge. 

Originally a farmer by trade with little formal education, He said it took him 10 years to develop the scooter.

It comes equipped with GPS navigation and a burglar alarm.

Made from a stripped-down electric scooter embedded into the suitcase, the rider strides the rectangular luggage and grabs handlebars that control the throttle, breaks and lights.

Already a recognized inventor, He reportedly received a top prize at a US-based inventors awards ceremony in 1999 for an innovative car safety system.

He said he got the idea for inventing the scooter when he forgot his luggage on his way to accept the award in the US.

Changsha Evening News