Southwest this week moved to ban certain types of robots from its aircraft after one such machine had its own seat booked on a recent flight.
“Southwest Airlines does not allow human-like or animal-like robots to be transported in the cabin or as checked baggage, regardless of size or purpose,” an update on the carrier’s online help center read.
The policy is meant to ensure compliance with existing rules for lithium-ion batteries, according to officials. If damaged, improperly stored, or defective in some way, lithium-ion batteries can overheat and cause smoke and fires.
The airline said other types of robots, including toys, “must be able to fit within a carry-on size bag and comply with existing battery restrictions.”
According to CBS News, the restriction came into effect just days after a business owner from Texas brought a humanoid robot onto a flight from Las Vegas to Dallas Love Field. The 3.5-foot-tall machine, nicknamed “Stewie,” had its own seat booked under a type of ticket used to transport especially fragile items on flights, such as a wedding dress, the outlet reported.
Videos and pictures of the robot on the flight were shared widely online.
It was not immediately clear if the episode directly prompted Southwest to revise its rules, or if the change in policy had been in the works beforehand.
The owner of the robot told CBS News that the battery inside Stewie does comply with airline regulations. He also said he hopes Southwest reconsiders its ban.
