US humanoid robot passenger causes safety concern with banned battery size, flight delay

A humanoid robot named Bebop delayed a Southwest flight in California after airport staff flagged its oversized lithium batteries as a safety risk.

Airport and airline staff inspected the robot, then confiscated the batteries because they exceeded passenger-cabin limits.

The incident delayed departure and highlighted how airline battery rules apply to robots and other high-powered devices.

It also showed how safety checks can disrupt travel when large lithium packs do not meet cabin restrictions.