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News & Current Events May 4, 2026 at 7:33 PM

Robotic passenger traveling for work causes Southwest flight delay

Posted by CircumspectCapybara

Robotic passenger traveling for work causes Southwest flight delay
https://www.kait8.com
Robotic passenger traveling for work causes Southwest flight delay
Passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight arrived late after a humanoid robot prompted a runway delay.
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canada432 May 4, 2026 +1064
Amazing that they thought an airline would just be okay with them loading a 10lb+ lithium battery into a passenger seat without any questions or concerns.
1064
Ahelex May 4, 2026 +293
"Trying to bring a potential firebomb on a plane as a carry-on, WCGW?"
293
Nolsoth May 4, 2026 +85
Look as long as the TSA can check the robots shoes for bombs I don't see the issue.
85
moreobviousthings May 4, 2026 +17
I wonder how they did the body scanner?
17
Fallouttgrrl May 5, 2026 +46
They tried using the default scanner but finally had to use the Android version
46
equatornavigator May 4, 2026 +73
“Then, they come and start asking, ‘What kind of batteries does it have? What’s going on with this? X, Y, and Z.’ They want to see it” as if that’s not the airline’s job
73
ODoyles_Banana May 4, 2026 +25
It's definitely something where the excitement for the idea exceeded the logic behind it.
25
imaginary_num6er May 4, 2026 +13
“I will initiate self-destruct”
13
Whatdoesthibattahndo May 6, 2026 +14
They're tech bros, they don't give a shit why the rules are there, they just think they shouldn't be there
14
Murphuffle May 5, 2026 +4
It's easy to understand in terms of advertising
4
thejourneybegins42 May 10, 2026 +1
Meanwhile I can't use my power bank.
1
Certain_Luck_8266 May 5, 2026
FedEx is certainly OK buying space in the belly of that same aircraft to ship 10lb+ lithium batteries.
0
jcw99 May 6, 2026 +7
Unlikely. LiPo is considered hazardous cargo and is thus generally not allowed on passenger flights. Even for non passenger flights they will need to be packaged in a manner that means that should they go off the fire stays contained and the aircraft can land.
7
BeedrillLover88 May 4, 2026 +1475
It's because the battery pack was too big and over what Southwest allows. Saved you a click.
1475
w1n5t0nM1k3y May 4, 2026 +413
Not just the airline. There are legal requirements [set by the FAA](https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/lithium-batteries) about maximum battery sizes allowed on commercial passenger flights.
413
moreobviousthings May 4, 2026 +180
And no one thought of that beforehand?? Seems like AI making people stupider.
180
shortcircuit21 May 4, 2026 +54
Surely they’ll make an exception for AI! /s
54
Murphuffle May 5, 2026 +51
This is probably just an advertisement for the company. Cause a ruckus, make headlines.
51
Melodic-Frosting-443 May 5, 2026 +11
That is exactly it. This was for marketing. What is funny though is Southwest took the battery off the plane, so the robot became a paperweight he had to haul around. Apparently making his actual demo at the destination a non-event.
11
Whatdoesthibattahndo May 6, 2026 +4
Tech bros don't think about the rules or the reason behind them, they just think the rules shouldn't be there
4
ODoyles_Banana May 4, 2026 +52
The the AvSax kits we carry to contain lithium fires are designed with those limits in mind as well, basically meant for phone and laptop batteries. There would be zero way to contain a fire from a battery of this size.
52
tepkel May 5, 2026 +7
Correct me if I'm wrong, but that seems like it would be a bad thing.
7
BlackSpidy May 5, 2026 +2
I'm not an expert, but it seems to me it'd be a bad thing.
2
wrosecrans May 5, 2026 +13
This is why even big clunky laptops never have a battery bigger than 100 Wh - that's the biggest you can bring on a plane.
13
rsclient May 5, 2026 +17
In my e-bike group, people ask occasionally about how to ~~ship~~ *fly on an airplane* an e-bike. The short answer is: you can't. You can't check it in, and you can't take the battery as carry-on. It's crazy that they thought the airline wouldn't have a problem with this. [edit: I realized that I said "ship" an e-bike when my brain was clearly thinking "fly on an airplane". That's because people want to take their e-bike when they go on vacation]
17
nalex66 May 5, 2026 +11
What’s crazier is that the robot made it all the way to sitting in a seat before anyone thought to ask about batteries.
11
lukumi May 5, 2026 +3
160 is usually the cutoff, at least for major American airlines. And not more than 2 of them. But yes 100 is safer, less restrictions.
3
ToastAndASideOfToast May 4, 2026 +22
But it can't fly without its emotional support battery.
22
mido_sama May 4, 2026 +27
Thank you.
27
faster_tomcat May 4, 2026 +14
+1 That site is kind of cancer (on mobile anyway).
14
Granadafan May 4, 2026 +9
And people wonder why most people don’t bother clicking on the links in posts 
9
Consistent-Throat130 May 5, 2026
I didn't have any problems with it on a several years old low end mobile.  Might I suggest blocking ads on your device?
0
Skorpyos May 4, 2026 +8
Oh I thought it was a rare case of a Karen robot causing delays.
8
imaginary_num6er May 4, 2026 +4
Not the assigned seating issue where there are 2 adjacent empty seats, but Southwest tells the robot to remain in their own seat?
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SatoshiReport May 5, 2026 +2
Why was the flight delayed for that though? You tell the passenger no and move on.
2
trollsong May 4, 2026 +1
Just charge him for 3 seats
1
MrUsername0 May 7, 2026
Here’s another click-save: Elite Event Robotics is the company. They seem like a bunch of f****** morons if they can build a robot but not consider the regulatory aspects of transportation. 
0
clauderbaugh May 4, 2026 +289
Please tell me the robot threw its hands up in the air at the counter and yelled "I'm sorry I thought this was America!"
289
Acceptable-Bus-2017 May 4, 2026 +18
https://youtu.be/PWpUt3iU9OM?si=dKL91WTRIrSa7jwa "That m*********** is not real"
18
howdudo May 4, 2026 +25
Yeah the footage for that is being rendered er uh uploaded as we speak
25
2beatenup May 4, 2026 +7
Wait till you see Karen or Kevin Robots… I need to speak to the manager!
7
Fallouttgrrl May 5, 2026 +8
*slaps down ID*  MULTIPASS
8
DisguisedToast May 5, 2026 +3
-takes a long drag off of a AA battery- I was there when they started flagging our model numbers, man.
3
LSTNYER May 4, 2026 +2
Just demanded to speak to the manager and wanted a free flight as restitution
2
tyrantcv May 5, 2026 +2
I wanna shake his hand!
2
DestructicusDawn May 4, 2026 +133
Maybe they shoulda shipped it then
133
EasyAsAyeBeeSea May 4, 2026 +143
Shipping lithium batteries is a pain that any company should have enough experience to know that this was going to be a pain. Sounds like someone thought they find a loophole and it bit them
143
cjsv7657 May 4, 2026 +54
Dallas based company moving between two CA cities. Looks like they rely on TSA going "OH COOL ROBOT" and not thinking what powers it. And it worked until now
54
Sir_Senseless May 5, 2026 +8
Or possibly they got the advertising they were after.
8
EasyAsAyeBeeSea May 5, 2026 +8
Nah, if you look at what they do and their customers this is not a good look
8
Equivalent-Resort-63 May 4, 2026 +7
Robot should have rented and driven in a Tesla.
7
sonofabutch May 4, 2026 +5
I just shipped my pants!
5
FeelingBlueberry May 4, 2026 +60
That’s not a passenger, that’s freight.
60
wh4tth3huh May 6, 2026 +6
It's also trying to get shipped without proper hazardous material declarations and placards...I hope they get their asses sued off by the airline for this dumbass stunt.
6
Dependent-Poet-9588 May 4, 2026 +96
Umm you'd think a robotics company would be clever enough to clear transport plans ahead of time. I'm not a roboticist but even I know there are restrictions on electronics especially the battery. It's not like a cellist buying an extra seat for their non-spicy instruments that don't explode, or even a Saudi prince buying seats for his pet falcons (which notably also don't explode even if they're messy).
96
Quiet_Assumption_326 May 4, 2026 +130
They knew what they were trying, they want the "free" publicity, other people being inconvenienced doesn't bother them.
130
shakeyshake1 May 4, 2026 +49
The article reads like an ad for the robot. Like the company people want me to read up on their robot. I’m not going to though.
49
EggNo289 May 4, 2026 +6
To be clear this is RENTAL company, not a robotics company.
6
joelluber May 5, 2026 +2
>non-spicy instruments that don't explode That's what you think https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/Exploded-Cello/66F3D68D2BA310D7
2
FreiaUrth May 4, 2026 +18
they got an oversized lithium battery through airport security on seated on the plane successfully?? horseshit. i cant even tell HOW horseshit this is but i know theres multiple layers of horseshit here.
18
TacticianRobin May 5, 2026 +9
Well ICE has been subbing in for TSA occasionally, and it looks like the robot is mostly white. So I can see how it got through.
9
KDR_11k May 5, 2026 +5
Going by how previous tests of the TSA's ability to find bombs have gone, it's probably just that agency being f****** useless like it always is.
5
grafknives May 4, 2026 +18
That is OBVIOUSLY a PR stunt. And it worked. "Humanoid robotic passenger". "Bought a seat for him" Oh, it worked so well fo the company.
18
Effective-Antelope47 May 4, 2026 +15
What ID does he use to check-in and to pass the security?
15
FtWTaiChi May 4, 2026 +7
It just pulls up Tom Hanks's face on its screen and presents it to the facial recognition scanner.
7
Wabi-Sabi_Umami May 4, 2026 +17
This feels like a publicity stunt. I find it very difficult to believe that the company didn’t know the battery would be a problem. As an aside, I find these things creepy and wouldn’t want to be near it, especially on a plane. 😂
17
Wand_Cloak_Stone May 5, 2026 +10
Yeah, no way would I be sitting next to that
10
cc413 May 4, 2026 +15
Robotic luggage, fixed that for you
15
Ravenna-23 May 4, 2026 +30
Someone should check the credentials of this robotic team. First rule of science understanding the dangers of a lithium battery, weight and airline protocols. Not the brighter side of the coin this crew
30
stewsters May 4, 2026 +44
Oh they knew it would not be allowed.  This is a publicity stunt to get their name out there at the low cost of travelers being delayed.   How did they get past the security checkpoint?
44
Ravenna-23 May 4, 2026 +9
💯 agree with you
9
ODoyles_Banana May 4, 2026 +7
That's not something within the scope of TSA. Same way they don't enforce bag sizes. That comes down to airline policy.
7
Wildcatb May 4, 2026 +7
Which is nuts, and should tell us something about TSA. They'll let you bring potentially explosive material, as long as it's packaged as a battery....
7
SRMort May 5, 2026 +3
It's far more nuanced than that. https://www.iata.org/contentassets/05e6d8742b0047259bf3a700bc9d42b9/lithium-battery-guidance-document.pdf Go have a read.
3
ODoyles_Banana May 4, 2026 +5
That’s not accurate. TSA doesn’t allow explosives. Lithium batteries aren’t classified that way. You’re treating hazardous if mishandled as explosive.
5
Ravenna-23 May 4, 2026 -6
Sugar that isn’t a four pack of AA’s powering a Walkman. Good on ya old school logic. You haven’t seen a Tesla blow yet? Come on the internet is waiting to show you what a lithium battery can do when properly provoked.
-6
wizza123 May 5, 2026 +2
A Tesla battery is somewhere in the magnitude of 100-200 times larger than this battery. You can't compare the two they way you are.
2
Ravenna-23 May 5, 2026 -2
It’s damn sure not a Walkman
-2
wizza123 May 5, 2026 +2
Straw man. What's one got to do with the other?
2
Ravenna-23 May 5, 2026 -5
Well I don’t want to be on a flight where a Tesla blows up. Also homeland security is trying to privatize. So that will be out sourced. Meaning welcome to whatever f****** corporation says it’s ok to roll on a plane with a giant lithium battery. It’s laughable to think you want to board a plane with that. But soon sugar you too can share first class with a lithium based android. Trust his ticket will be paid for. Stop being stupid !
-5
just_posting_this_ch May 4, 2026 -1
TSA shouldn't prevent people from boarding plans with explosives?
-1
ODoyles_Banana May 4, 2026 +7
Seriously dude, not enforcing airline battery limits doesn’t equal allowing explosives. You’re connecting two things that don’t overlap, you're arguing something I never said.
7
just_posting_this_ch May 4, 2026 +5
The battery is a highly flammable dangerous object. Well known to not be allowed on airplanes. I have no clue why you said TSA shouldn't prevent it from boarding. What doesn't overlap?
5
ODoyles_Banana May 4, 2026 +4
You’re mixing up two categories. Lithium batteries are a hazard if they fail. Explosives are designed to detonate. Batteries are allowed under limits. Those limits are set by the FAA and implemented by the airlines, which is why policies can vary. TSA screens for security threats like weapons and explosives. It doesn’t enforce every airline specific rule, just like it doesn’t enforce your bag allowance.
4
KDR_11k May 5, 2026 +1
A lot of things that the TSA screens for, like large bottles, aren't designed to be a hazard but are banned anyway under the theory that someone COULD use them to build something dangerous.
1
ODoyles_Banana May 5, 2026 +1
The thing is you can't use lithium batteries to create something dangerous the way you can with other banned items. [IATA's guidance on batteries ](https://www.iata.org/contentassets/05e6d8742b0047259bf3a700bc9d42b9/lithium-battery-guidance-document.pdf) >All lithium and sodium ion batteries are classified as dangerous goods due to the presence of the threat of thermal runaway Thermal runaway is the only threat these batteries pose.
1
KDR_11k May 5, 2026 +1
But you could intentionally cause that runaway by shorting out a badly protected battery. That's why it should be a concern for the TSA.
1
just_posting_this_ch May 4, 2026 -2
Cool story. What's the difference between an oversized lithium ion battery and an explosive? A couple centimeters of copper?
-2
ODoyles_Banana May 4, 2026 +6
That’s like asking what the difference is between gasoline and a bomb. One can burn if something goes wrong. The other is designed to explode and create a blast wave.
6
just_posting_this_ch May 4, 2026 +5
Neither of which you can take through security. They warn you at security which items you're not allowed to take. Flammable, or combustible objects are definitely not permitted through security. They have infographics at the entrance.
5
rrdubbs May 4, 2026 +11
Should have had him arrive with a small 99.9 kWh battery, and just plug himself into the outlet, on an international flight. He just needed enough juice to make it from the terminal to the seat, and then raw dog it staring bleakly ahead sipping electrons
11
KDR_11k May 5, 2026 +4
I assume you mean Wh because kWh wouldn't fit in that seat.
4
rrdubbs May 5, 2026 +1
Oops, you are right. Thinking about EV purchase this week… a classic unit mixup!
1
AlyadaHatchet May 4, 2026 +7
Usually you can't take a battery over 100Wh onto a plane, and it has to be in plain sight while in operation.  There is a heat resistant bag for lithium ion battery fires, but it's sized around that 100Wh (and under) capacity.  Can't exactly toss the entire robot into the thermal burn bag, especially when violating the capacity limits. 
7
faster_tomcat May 4, 2026 +5
Some airlines (including a recent Eva Air flight) forbid the use of USB chargers at all times during the flight. They do provide seat power outlets but they don't want chargers to be used.
5
SteeveJoobs May 6, 2026 +3
Yep. Pretty recent new rule that started from Singaporean airlines and spread around the industry.
3
Ahelex May 4, 2026 +1
>Can't exactly toss the entire robot into the thermal burn bag, especially when violating the capacity limits.  What if we just invent a large thermal burn bag and put the plane in it instead? Then, whatever Li-ion battery fire that could occur during the flight will be contained!
1
ODoyles_Banana May 4, 2026 +2
Well the reason these bags work is tied to the size and energy of the device they’re meant for. They’re designed for small electronics like phones and laptops, where the total heat release and gas production are smaller. In use, you add water to the bag and put the device in it. The material absorbs that water and helps pull heat out of the device, which slows thermal runaway. You still have to monitor it and add more water as needed. Once you scale up to a larger battery, you’re dealing with much more heat, and significantly more gas being produced. That means you’d need far more water and something that can handle the gasses safely. At that point, you’re into specialized fire containment systems designed for large lithium batteries.
2
robertsruling May 4, 2026 +6
SOB would probably wind up sitting behind me and kicking the seat until the battery ran out. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️
6
goldenboy2191 May 4, 2026 +27
Goddamn clankers ruining this country… /s
27
qdp May 4, 2026 +3
It’s not fair. How did the clanker get above me on the upgrade list? It doesn’t need the exit row foot room. 
3
WeirdSysAdmin May 5, 2026 +10
Equipment doesn’t travel, it’s transported. Stop humanizing large language models.
10
Masterweedo May 4, 2026 +5
It didn't work, but they obviously thought it was worth a shot.
5
opisska May 5, 2026 +5
It's not a passenger. It's just inappropriate luggage.
5
ICanSeeNow17 May 4, 2026 +3
Look, this clanker wasn't bothering anybody, why did they have to harass it?
3
BalanceEarly May 4, 2026 +3
Excuse me, you need to surrender your battery pack!
3
thisthreadisbear May 4, 2026 +3
Why does this feel like what you would see on a newspaper in Futurama lol.
3
kitkatkorgi May 4, 2026 +3
Let’s outlaw them now. And put a giant off button on their back.
3
AMileHighDM May 4, 2026 +3
Fuckin Clanker holding up our lives !
3
StinkyMcgee51 May 5, 2026 +3
Wdym passenger? We calling non living things passengers now?
3
bigbigjohnson May 5, 2026 +3
These damn clankers holding up flights now
3
CptVague May 4, 2026 +6
Executives f****** **HATE** remote work.
6
HylanderUS May 4, 2026 +3
OMG, they found a way to make AI go the office!
3
Ok_Pollution7093 May 4, 2026 +2
A robot getting better travel perks than me, honestly.
2
AnthonyNHB May 4, 2026 +2
So this is what causes the eventual robot uprising? Not being allowed on planes? "Robots everywhere realized the system was built against them and they couldn't even travel the country for work. Well they had had enough; as one they rose up and overthrew their human masters. Now they can travel the country in peace and the soft crunch of human skulls under their feet."
2
ExtonGuy May 4, 2026 +2
Why don’t they power the robot with ATP production?
2
These_Algae_8082 May 5, 2026 +2
Was he smoking in the bathroom?
2
Roadside_Prophet May 5, 2026 +2
Smart enough to build a robot. Dumb enough to not read FHA regulations on batteries.
2
Simpicity May 4, 2026 +2
Now you can suicide bomb planes from home! Pesky door between you and the cockpit? Not when you can pistol shrimp it down with 8000 lbs of robo-PUNCH! Hijacking has never been easier Or more fun!
2
FatesUrinal May 4, 2026 +2
Not a person. Why is weight an issue if you can just jam it in with the luggage? It’s not like it’s going in an overhead bin. Put an even amount of weight in the other side of the aircraft.
2
Reasonable-Turn-5940 May 5, 2026 +1
Take the bus, clanker
1
Flimsy_wimsey May 5, 2026 +1
What a bunch of amateurs. Or media pigs.
1
solitarium May 10, 2026 +1
I didn’t think I’d read that headline before I was retirement age, but here we are This is an interesting timeline
1
i_lost_it_all_1 May 4, 2026 +1
I see an opportunity to access the robotic airline flights demographic. Who's in on buying spirit and make it robot only? Time to embrace our robotic neighbors.
1
Ecstatic_Wasabi_5166 May 5, 2026 +1
Southwest airlines is probably just mad they didn't charge the robot extra for a carry-on
1
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