Hiking Updated on September 29, 2026 By Axel Paupier Methodology

Can you take a walking exoskeleton on a plane?

Q: Can you take a walking exoskeleton on a plane?

In principle yes, but batteries travel in the cabin. According to IATA, spare batteries never go in the hold, and up to 100 Wh they are generally accepted in the cabin. Hypershell batteries are 72 Wh according to the manufacturer. For the exoskeleton itself, the rule depends on the airline: ask before you travel.

The answer in detail

We did not find a public rule aimed specifically at exoskeletons on a plane. What is regulated is the lithium batteries they contain. IATA, the air transport association, asks travelers to keep battery-powered devices and spare batteries in cabin baggage, never in the hold.

On capacity, IATA states that up to 100 Wh batteries are generally accepted in the cabin, that between 100 and 160 Wh they may be with the airline's approval, and that above 160 Wh they are usually not permitted. Hypershell X Series batteries are 72 Wh according to the manufacturer: they sit under the 100 Wh threshold.

What the rules say

Here are the points to remember from the IATA and EASA recommendations, EASA being the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

Cabin only: spare batteries and power banks must never travel in the hold.
Protected terminals: keep batteries in their original packaging or cover their terminals with tape to prevent short circuits.
Damaged battery: do not travel with a swollen, punctured or damaged battery.
No charging on board: EASA states these batteries should not be recharged during the flight.
Number of batteries: EASA mentions a maximum of two per person in total; airlines may apply their own limits, to be checked.

An exoskeleton is not a common device like a phone: the airline and security screening may have requirements of their own, which we did not find published. Ask before you travel.

Step-by-step instructions

Note the capacity of each battery in Wh: 72 Wh for the Hypershell X Series, two 72 Wh batteries supplied with the Ultra X. For Dnsys and VIGX, our catalog does not state the capacity: read the battery label.
Contact the airline about the exoskeleton itself and the number of spare batteries allowed.
Protect the terminals of spare batteries with their original packaging or tape.
Put all batteries in cabin baggage, on you or in your bag.
If a cabin bag is put in the hold at the last minute at boarding, first remove the lithium batteries and devices, as IATA recommends.
Do not recharge batteries during the flight.

Common mistakes

These oversights come up often when preparing a trip with battery-powered gear.

Putting a spare battery in the hold: it is prohibited, with no capacity exception.
Traveling with a swollen or damaged battery.
Forgetting to protect the terminals of spare batteries.
Assuming every airline applies the same limits on the number of batteries.
Not knowing the Wh capacity of your battery before arriving at the airport.

Key takeaways

A walking exoskeleton can in principle travel by plane provided you follow the rules on lithium batteries: cabin only, terminals protected, capacity of 100 Wh or less as a general rule, which is the case for Hypershell's 72 Wh batteries. As no public rule targets the exoskeleton itself, tell the airline before departure. For the device specifications, see the page of the Hypershell Pro X. To choose your model, read our Hypershell vs Dnsys comparison.