Southwest Airlines, a major US airline, has banned ‘human-like’ and ‘animal-like’ robots from its flights, citing safety concerns tied to the lithium-ion batteries that power these devices. The Dallas-based carrier updated its safety guidelines to keep such robots out of both the cabin and checked baggage, regardless of size or intended use.
The airline classifies a human-like robot as one designed to look, move, or act like a human, with a similar standard applied to animal-like robots. Smaller robots, including toys, remain permitted but must fit within a standard carry-on bag and comply with existing battery rules.
The ban followed a series of incidents in which passengers purchased seats for robotic devices or tried to bring them on board as carry-on items.
Recent Comments