Tesla is facing a $51 million lawsuit after a robot injured a factory worker. The robot factory incident reportedly injured a technician severely. In response, the technician filed a lawsuit in the US court, claiming compensation for a malfunction of the dangerous robot arm at the Fremont, California, plant.
This accident has sparked concern regarding work-life safety, as one of the most scrutinized high-tech manufacturers in the world is not considered entirely safe for its employees.
As per the reports, this incident dates back to July 22, 2023, when a 50-year-old Tesla robotics technician, Peter Hinterdobler, was assisting an engineer in disassembling a robot that had been relocated from Tesla’s Model 3 production line.
Suddenly, the robotic arm launched without warning, propelled with significant force as the engineer removed the motor at the robot’s base to access an internal ‘dress pack.’ The complaints read, “while the engineer attempted to remove the motor at the base of the robot to access its internal dress pack, the robot's arm suddenly and without warning released with great force.”
Hinterdobler claimed he was struck, thrown to the floor, and had serious injuries. Since that incident, his medical expenses have reached around $1 million, and future medical expenses are projected to reach approximately $6 million.
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Hinterdobler has filed a lawsuit for $51 million, which is divided into separate sections. He has claimed compensation for specific losses, including $20 million for pain and suffering, $10 million for emotional distress, $1 million for past lost earnings, and $8 million for future lost earnings, as well as $5 million for the loss of the ability to perform household services.
Tesla has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit or stated whether it accepts responsibility for the incident. The company has been marked as a defendant as it failed to ensure the robot was safely de-energized, secured, or stable before it was disassembled.
Workplace safety challenges at Tesla are not new. In 2021, the tech giants’ Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, faced a similar incident where a Tesla employee was pinned to the wall by a robot. The machine reportedly gripped the employee’s back and arm until a colleague turned off its power.
These robot accidents have crystallized the risks that are inherent in a highly automated environment. The robot’s aggressive behavior during maintenance shows the gaps in de-energizing rules, safety measures, and human supervision.
The lawsuit that Peter Hinterdobler has filed is more than just a financial matter.
It highlights a margin that companies often overlook: the intersection of automation and human risk, where failures can lead to serious legal, reputational, and regulatory consequences.
As automation gains pace, this case may serve as a warning on how to safeguard workers from the aggressive movements of robots.