Cold lunches and soggy sandwiches can soon become a thing of the past with this high-tech bag.
The world's first “microwave bag” delivers hot food in minutes, no matter where you may find yourself.
The bag can reach a temperature of 176 degrees Fahrenheit (80 degrees Celsius) in less than five minutes, according to its developers.
The Willtex Willcook Bag is designed like a laptop bag, so it can be slung over the shoulder to warm food on the go.
With an external battery, its creators say it holds a charge to keep your lunch warm for up to eight hours.
The Willtex Willcook bag claims to be the world's first “microwave bag” capable of heating food in less than 20 minutes.
The bag comes with a detachable battery that provides enough power to keep food hot for up to eight hours at a time
Created by Japanese company Willtex, the Willcook Bag is a lightweight, portable briefcase-style microwave bag made possible by a patented technology where the fabric generates heat.
While Willcook calls itself a “microwave bag,” it doesn't actually use microwaves to heat food.
This is what distinguishes it from the portable microwave developed by Japanese tool manufacturer Makita.
Instead of microwaves, the bag uses an advanced fiber material, developed by Japanese fiber technology Sanky Consys.
Willcook wouldn't be the first consumer product to use heating technology in fabric designs.
Willcook bag uses self-heating fibers to reach temperatures of up to 176°F (80°C) in less than five minutes
This bag joins an array of coats, heated socks and even shoe insoles designed to beat the cold.
Last year, scientists from the University of Texas developed a self-heating pillow and mattress designed to trick users into falling asleep.
However, unlike these other inventions, Wiltex claims that each individual fiber of this material is able to produce heat on its own rather than relying on other heating elements.
Although the material can be cut and sewn like any other piece of fabric, its creators claim it can reach truly amazing temperatures.
Wiltex says the temperature of the material can be controlled anywhere between 104°F (40°C) and 482°F (250°C) — hot enough to cook pizza.
However, it does not indicate whether the microwave bag itself would be limited to a lower, safer temperature.
Its creators also claim that the Willcook's insulation makes it able to keep beer and other cold drinks cold for longer even in the hot sun.
The inner layer containing the heating elements also contains a material treated to resist oil, water and stains when heating food.
It is then contained in an insulating layer to prevent the bag from becoming uncomfortably hot when carried.
Finally, the outer layer is a twill material which makes the Willcook bag look like any other laptop bag.
The internal temperature can be quickly checked and adjusted using the companion app “HOTOPIA”.
Not only will the bag be useful for the winter, as the insulating layer can also keep drinks cold.
“WILLCOOK also has high cooling capacity due to the thermal insulating cotton effect and the built-in high heat shielding effect aluminum layer to retain heat,” Wiltex said.
The site bizarrely claims that the beer can be kept at a “delicious” temperature of 118°F (48°C) for up to two hours, but this may be due to translation issues on the English-language site.
The case is available in three different colors for 23,000 yen (£126.05) while the battery is sold separately for 6,500 yen (£35.62).
The bag is now available to order via Wiltex website But delivery options are only available to Japan at the time of writing.
Willtex says the Willcook will appear at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
(Tags for translation) Daily Mail