Robots on a plane

[Orac]

Hi, anyone had any experiences taking a humanoid robot on a plane?

Most likely the issues would be with the LIPO batteries

Not sure what should go in the hold luggage and what should be in hand luggage?

Also, might ship a couple of spare batteries to the other country just in case.

Thanks

[Tyberius]

I've traveled across the states as well as to Japan/Korea with Giger + my other humanoids in my carry-ons, and have never had issue. The worst that's happened is I got pulled aside for additional security screening and they bomb-swabbed my bots for explosive residue. I've brought all my LiPos onboard as well (some even loose in my backpack, oops!) and haven't had any trouble, but I believe it's against policy officially.

I'd highly recommend investing in a good pelican case though, there's a specific model that's built to be the largest possible carry-on size and it's great.

[Orac]

Thanks, I'm going to take the precaution of posting two of the batteries just in case.

The trouble is that I have some bulky chargers, spares, etc as well.

I think I will take the robot as hand luggage (and be prepared to demonstrate it) and put the rest of the tools/electronics in the hold luggage.

If they stand my robot up against the wall and start pulling on the rubber gloves, i'll claim diplomatic immunity

[i-Bot]

When I looked into this I found:
http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html
and:
http://safetravel.dot.gov/definitions.h ... hium_metal[/url]

Seems these are the rules:
http://www.ehs.cornell.edu/lab/dot/LBatteries.cfm

So clearly batteries in hand baggage only. And safely packaged as here:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/batteries.shtm

Obviously tools and anything weapon like should be in checked baggage.

In my experience, I have never been stopped to open for inspection while carrying small humanoids in hand baggage. The machine operators don't even appear interested !

I do often carry electronics parts and assemblies in checked baggage to and from US and find these are opened for inspection about 75% of the time. I never lost anything in this process.

It will always remain at the discretion of the inspector whether the battery or equipment can travel, so pack the batteries as obviously safe as possible, keep that part professional/commercial looking, and seperate from more exotic features of your design. I have avoided charging bags for packing since they are more likely to alarm than reassure.

[Tyberius]

Thanks, I'm going to take the precaution of posting two of the batteries just in case.

The trouble is that I have some bulky chargers, spares, etc as well.

I think I will take the robot as hand luggage (and be prepared to demonstrate it) and put the rest of the tools/electronics in the hold luggage.

If they stand my robot up against the wall and start pulling on the rubber gloves, i'll claim diplomatic immunity

I wouldn't recommend powering it on at all. That might freak them out even more. You can always claim the batteries aren't charged.