A Southwest Airlines flight was delayed for about an hour recently for a most unusual reason.A humanoid robot had been brought on board as a passenger. But it couldn't take to the skies right away.The 75-pound robot, named Bebop, was traveling from Oakland, California, to San Diego on Thursday, April 30 and attracted a crowd at the gate as it danced for everyone before boarding.SOUTHWEST AIRLINES UNVEILS NEW PORTABLE CHARGER RULE FOR PASSENGER SAFETY"A lot of people came, took videos and had their kids come and give it high-fives," Eily Ben-Abraham, an employee with Elite Event Robotics of Dallas, Texas, told Fox News Digital. Elite Event Robotics rents out interactive robots for events.The delay in the flight stemmed from an issue with the robots battery which exceeded airline limits, the company said.The situation began when the team realized the robot, together with its case, exceeded the airlines 100-pound carry-on limit, said Ben-Abraham.As a last resort, the robot's handler asked if the robot could have its own seat, he said."They all concluded that it would be possible and had it registered as a spot for an inanimate object," Ben-Abraham said, noting that anyone can technically purchase an extra seat.FLIGHT PASSENGER YELLS, "I WANT OFF," CALLS CREW "IDIOTS" AND YANKS OPEN EMERGENCY EXIT DOORBut after boarding, airline staff raised concerns about the battery leading to a delay of about an hour.At the airline's request, Ben-Abraham removed the battery from the robot, he recounted."I was told to be in touch with the confiscation department," he said.The robot had been successfully transported on an earlier flight from Dallas to Oakland but now there were complications on the leg to San Diego. Bebop was also expected at an event in Chicago later that weekend so getting the battery to that city became a bit of an ordeal for the employee."We have family in California that was able to drive over five hours north and [then] overnight it to a hotel in Chicago," Ben-Abraham said.Responding to outreach from Fox News Digital, Southwest Airlines confirmed in a statement that a customer on Flight 1568 had "purchased a seat for a device. The devices lithium battery exceeded the maximum allowable size, so the customer was asked to remove it."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERThe airline added, "We appreciate the professionalism of our flight crew in addressing this situation. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees."Elite Event Robotics discussed the delay in a social media post after the incident."Delayed but worth the wait," the company wrote on Instagram. "Bebop finally made it on board, and safe to say hes still the main attraction wherever he lands."Lithium batteries are tightly regulated on flights due to fire risk concerns, with strict limits on size and how they can be transported, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIESOnline reactions to the incident ranged from confusion to humor.Some people questioned how the situation was handled with one commenter saying the idea seemed to outweigh the planning behind it.TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZOthers questioned whether the robot should have been treated as a passenger at all."Thats not a passenger, thats freight," one user wrote.Fox News Digital previously reported that airlines are experimenting with robotic technology in other parts of the travel experience, including baggage handling.Japan Airlines recently began testing humanoid robots to assist with luggage at Tokyos Haneda Airport, though early demonstrations suggested the technology still has limitations.Matthew Reigle of OutKick contributed reporting.

An open letter sent to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) from campaign group Irish Sport for Palestine accuses Israel of engaging in "genocide" in the war in Gaza.

Der 1. FC Nrnberg nutzt aus, dass Zweitliga-Meister Schalke 04 offenbar noch den Ibiza-Partytrip in den Knochen hatte - und gewinnt bei auergewhnlicher Atmosphre.[mehr]

TORONTO - The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced the following transactions today:Released:DL Charlie LooesK Matt AmmendolaQB M... - CFL Toronto Argonauts

Durham, NC --- Durham's season-high four-game winning streak was halted by the Round Rock Express on Saturday night 5-3 at the DBAP.The Express (1... - IL Durham Bulls

TORONTO - Today, the Toronto Tempo announced the team has signed 6'3 center Nina Mili to a developmental contract.She previously signed a t... - WNBA Toronto Tempo

Pas matre de son destin avant la dernire journe de Ligue 2, Saint-tienne a conclu la saison rgulire par un festival face Amiens dans lespoir de rejoindre directement la Ligue 1 (5-0). Mais dans le mme temps, Le Mans a scuris sa deuxime place, synonyme de promotion, en menant 2-0 contre Bastia avant que le match ne soit interrompu par des jets de fumignes au moment du temps additionnel. LASSE devra passer par la case play-offs et barrage pour esprer retrouver llite du football franais. Revivez ce match et suivez les dernires informations sur l'arrt de la rencontre en Corse.

Le MHR a trill Montauban 59-7, ce samedi pour la 23e journe de TOP 14. Montpellier est deuxime avec 10 points d'avance sur la 7e place. Le coach hraultais Joan Caudullo veut viter cette place qui exclura l'quipe des phases finales.

Max Verstappen zit niet in zak en as na zijn vijfde plaats in de Formule 1 Grand Prix van Miami. Na een spin bij de start en een gewaagde strategie van zijn team reed hij kort aan de leiding, maar uiteindelijk werd de viervoudig wereldkampioen door veel rijders ingehaald. "Het was beter dan de laatste paar weekenden", concludeerde Verstappen bij Viaplay. "We hebben snelheid gevonden, maar in de race kwamen we nog wel wat tekort." Verstappen werd na de start in de eerste bocht aangevallen door Charles Leclerc. In een poging de leiding te veroveren in bocht 2, ging Verstappen in de rondte en verloor hij de nodige posities. Verstappen: "De auto brak me gewoon uit bij het ingaan van die bocht. Je probeert als eerste die bocht in te gaan, maar hij brak uit." 360 graden spin Verstappen minimaliseerde de schade door zijn auto snel volledig rond te gooien om verder te kunnen rijden. "Ik probeerde te corrigeren om hem uit de muur te houden en daarna wilde ik zo snel mogelijk de 360 maken." Later koos Red Bull Racing ervoor om Verstappen vroeg op verse banden te zetten. Het leverde de viervoudig wereldkampioen kortstondig de leiding op, maar in de slotfase zakte Verstappen op versleten banden door het veld heen. "Het was misschien iets teveel van het goede. We moeten nog wat analyseren. Toen de safety car op de baan kwam leek het allemaal perfect, want we zaten dicht bij elkaar en ik kon op die banden door." "Daarna bleek de stint (reeks van ronden op een band) toch te lang. De band was niet goed voor ons." In een zeer chaotische slotfase werd Verstappen verschalkt door George Russell na een intens gevecht, maar in de allerlaatste bocht passeerde Verstappen Leclerc nog, nadat de Monegask was gespind in de laatste ronde.

Queensland coach Billy Slater remains coy on the options to replace Tom Dearden at halfback for State of Origin.