In a world where bag charms have become as common as water bottles, FREITAG arrives with a refreshingly grounded take on the trend – one rooted in true circularity rather than pure embellishment. The Zurich-based brand, long celebrated for transforming retired truck tarps into cult-favorite bags, now turns its attention to the tiniest of accessories with the new Lucky Trucking Charms. Inspired by the charms that sway from truckers’ rear-view mirrors, these mini companions bring personality, durability, and a touch of humor to anything they’re clipped onto.

“The idea for these charms comes straight from the long-haul road – the very place our used tarp material is from. The world of truck cabins has a unique, almost nostalgic aesthetic that absolutely fascinated me as a designer,” says Anne Bachmann, Holistic Designer FREITAG. “That’s why our charms are inspired by the mirror decorations of long-distance drivers. The rearview mirror is the one spot in a vehicle where drivers can truly show their personality and individuality – whether through protective talismans, good luck symbols, or the obligatory air freshener.”

Each charm is cut from the same tough truck tarp material that defines the FREITAG universe, giving new purpose to scrap pieces that would otherwise never see the road. The result? Adorable accessories that are just as rugged as their full-size counterparts, infused with the stories and scuffs collected along Europe’s highways. No two are alike – and that’s precisely the point. “At FREITAG, the mindful and resource-efficient handling of materials is the starting point for product development,” says Anne Bachmann, Holistic Designer FREITAG. “Our charms are created directly from the colorful tarp remnants that are left over after cutting our bags. We hand-select the most beautiful pieces, punch them out, and create new mini-one-offs.”

Mix, layer, or let one ride solo: the charms can hang from bag handles, key rings, zippers, belt loops, or even your bike or Christmas tree. They come in four fun styles: F210 AUTOBAHN, F211 DICE, F212 FACE, and the F213 MINI MESSENGER. Each model has its own personality and comes in dozens of colorways, and many are available only in limited numbers, making the collectibility as tempting as the function.

The F210 AUTOBAHN charm captures the spirit of the open road and includes an adjustable ball chain for quick attachment. The F211 DICE reinterpret the iconic trucker mascot in flat, contrasting tarps that still feel lucky, while the F212 FACE hides a key ring behind its sliding outer layer – an expressive buddy that also helps you find your keys faster.

The F213 MINI MESSENGER doubles as a teeny pouch – small in stature but mighty in usefulness. Stash earbuds, change, or even a lip balm inside its secure velcro pocket. An adjustable nylon cord and key ring make it simple to fasten anywhere.

Beyond accessories, FREITAG continues to champion circular practices that actually work. Their repair services keep existing bags in rotation longer, and programs like S.W.A.P., Take-Back, and FREITAG Rent give customers alternatives to buying new. S.W.A.P. lets users exchange bags without spending a penny, Take-Back transforms worn-out bags into future components, and Rent offers luggage for travelers who’d rather not own it. Together, these initiatives reflect a holistic approach to material stewardship – one that aligns perfectly with the brand’s micro charms.

To learn more about the Lucky Trucking Charms from FREITAG, visit freitag.ch.

Packshot photos by Oliver Nanzig, mood images by Johanna Bommer.

This article was produced with support from WIRED.

Flock, the automatic license plate reader (ALPR) and AI-powered camera company, uses overseas workers from Upwork to train its machine learning algorithms, with training material telling workers how to review and categorize footage including images people and vehicles in the U.S., according to material reviewed by 404 Media that was accidentally exposed by the company.

The findings bring up questions about who exactly has access to footage collected by Flock surveillance cameras and where people reviewing the footage may be based. Flock has become a pervasive technology in the U.S., with its cameras present in thousands of communities that cops use everyday to investigate things like car jackings. Local police have also performed numerous lookups for ICE in the system. 

Companies that use AI or machine learning regularly turn to overseas workers to train their algorithms, often because the labor is cheaper than hiring domestically. But the nature of Flock’s business—creating a surveillance system that constantly monitors U.S. residents’ movements—means that footage might be more sensitive than other AI training jobs.

Flock’s cameras continuously scan the license plate, color, brand, and model of all vehicles that drive by. Law enforcement are then able to search cameras nationwide to see where else a vehicle has driven. Authorities typically dig through this data without a warrant, leading the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to recently sue a city blanketed in nearly 500 Flock cameras.

Broadly, Flock uses AI or machine learning to automatically detect license plates, vehicles, and people, including what clothes they are wearing, from camera footage. A Flock patent also mentions cameras detecting “race.” 

Multiple tipsters pointed 404 Media to an exposed online panel which showed various metrics associated with Flock’s AI training.  

Michael Kalus posted a photo:

Michael Kalus posted a photo:

Michael Kalus posted a photo:

Michael Kalus posted a photo: