- Major American carriers, including Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, are expanding restrictions on humanoid and animal-like robots in aircraft cabins and checked baggage.
- This follows Southwest Airlines' ban in May, which was prompted by a passenger boarding a flight with a robotic companion earlier this year.
- Airlines cite general safety and operational concerns, particularly regarding heavy-duty lithium batteries that exceed Federal Aviation Administration watt-hour limits.
- United implemented its restriction on 23 July as a proactive measure, while Delta's similar policy came into effect on 18 June.
- While standard toy robots are still permitted if they meet size and battery guidelines, experts note the bans pose challenges for researchers needing to transport robots for demonstrations.
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