Tesla faces $51M suit after California factory robot injures technician

A Tesla robotics technician has filed a $51 million lawsuit against the automaker and robotics supplier FANUC America, alleging a malfunctioning robot struck him unconscious at the Fremont factory in July 2023. Peter Hinterdobler claims the incident has already cost him over $1 million in medical expenses, with an additional $6 million expected for ongoing treatment, highlighting growing concerns about workplace safety protocols in automated manufacturing environments.

What happened: Hinterdobler was helping an engineer disassemble a robot on July 22, 2023, when the machine’s arm “suddenly and without warning released with great force,” according to the federal complaint filed in Oakland.

• The release involved both the robotic arm’s power and the weight of an 8,000-pound counterbalance that knocked Hinterdobler to the ground.
• The 50-year-old technician lost consciousness from the impact and sustained serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment.

The financial impact: Hinterdobler is seeking $51 million in total damages across multiple categories of harm.

• Medical expenses have already exceeded $1 million, with another $6 million projected for continued treatment.
• The lawsuit includes claims for pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity.

Safety allegations: The complaint accuses both Tesla and FANUC, a Japanese robotics company, of negligence in different aspects of the incident.

• Tesla allegedly failed to ensure the robot was “safely de-energized, secured, and stable” before maintenance work began.
• FANUC is accused of negligently designing the equipment that caused the malfunction.
• The robot had reportedly been placed in “an area not designated for such equipment,” according to the lawsuit.

Tesla’s response: The automaker later introduced new safety protocols specifically for that type of machine, suggesting acknowledgment of potential safety gaps.

• Neither Tesla nor FANUC America has responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.
• The timing of the new safety measures could be significant in determining liability for the incident.