Tourexpi
US airlines ban humanoid and pet-like robots from flights
US carriers Delta Air Lines and United Airlines will
no longer allow humanoid or pet-like robots to be transported either in the
aircraft cabin or as checked baggage. The airlines cite safety concerns related
to the lithium-ion batteries commonly used to power the devices.
According to The Hill, both airlines are updating
their carry-on and checked baggage policies to prohibit robots designed to
resemble humans or animals.
Battery safety drives the decision
The new restrictions are primarily aimed at reducing
the fire risk associated with lithium-ion batteries. If damaged, improperly
handled or affected by thermal runaway, these batteries can overheat and
ignite, posing a significant safety hazard during flights.
Many humanoid and companion robots rely on
large-capacity lithium-ion batteries, which are already subject to strict
transport regulations in commercial aviation.
Similar policy already introduced by Southwest
Southwest Airlines had previously implemented a
comparable rule after a passenger attempted to board one of its flights with a
robot.
With Delta and United now adopting similar measures,
major US airlines are tightening their approach to transporting increasingly
sophisticated consumer robots, placing greater emphasis on onboard battery
safety.
Image Credit: © AI generated illustration
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