Why are airlines banning humanoid robots from flights?
Four major U.S. airlines have quietly changed their policies to ban humanoid and animal-like robots from their flights.
Airlines are increasingly banning humanoid and pet-like robots from flights and checked luggage due to safety concerns, according to recent developments. American Airlines has recently joined this trend, with the new policy going into effect on Monday, citing potential safety hazards associated with these advanced robots. Although humanoid robots are still relatively uncommon outside of laboratories and factories, numerous companies are developing this technology, with some predicting widespread adoption in the future.
A passenger's attempt to bring a robot companion on a Southwest Airlines flight earlier this year prompted the carrier to ban such devices in May. Other airlines, including United and Delta, have also imposed similar restrictions, stating that these policies are proactive measures to ensure customer and crew safety. The bans primarily affect robots designed to resemble humans or animals, as they often rely on heavy lithium-ion batteries that can pose fire hazards if mishandled or if they malfunction.
While most current humanoid robots are powered by these batteries, some researchers argue that such bans may hinder scientific progress, as they occasionally need to transport robots for demonstrations.
Written by urgent.news from CBS News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
