Humanoid robot Bebop delays Southwest Airlines flight over safety concerns
A humanoid robot named Bebop caused a significant delay on a Southwest Airlines flight from Oakland to San Diego. The machine, weighing over 30 kilograms, was initially treated as a passenger before safety concerns forced a last-minute change of plans. The incident began when Bebop, owned by Dallas-based company Elite Event Robotics, was booked its own seat on the aircraft. The robot was first placed in an aisle seat, which violated the airline’s rules for transporting heavy items. Flight crew later moved it to a window seat, but further issues arose.
Southwest Airlines’ staff discovered that Bebop’s lithium battery exceeded permitted size limits. As a result, the battery was removed and later mailed separately to Elite Event Robotics. The entire process led to a delay of over an hour. Elite Event Robotics posted a photo of Bebop standing in front of the plane on social media, with the caption: *'Delayed… but the wait was worth it.'* Some online commenters, however, criticised the hold-up, with one user claiming it was staged *'just for publicity.'* Originally, the company had attempted to check Bebop as luggage, but it surpassed the airline’s weight restrictions.
The flight eventually departed after the robot’s battery was removed and shipped separately. Bebop’s presence led to a one-hour delay, highlighting the challenges of transporting large, battery-powered devices on commercial flights. The incident also sparked debate online about whether the situation was handled appropriately.
