Tesla Assembly-Line Robot Lawsuit Raises Major Safety Questions

Independent’s Justin Rohrlich reports on Peter Hinterdobler v. FANUC America, Tesla, et al, a federal lawsuit alleging that Tesla and robotics manufacturer FANUC are responsible for severe injuries suffered by a technician at Tesla’s Fremont, California, plant.

The plaintiff seeks $51 million in damages, claiming a robot’s malfunction left him unconscious, permanently injured, and stuck with escalating medical expenses.

According to the complaint, the incident occurred during the disassembly of a robot removed from the Model 3 production line in July 2023. Hinterdobler alleges the robot’s arm unexpectedly released with the combined force of its mechanics and an 8,000-pound counterbalance weight, striking him and causing extensive injuries.

The complaint asserts that Tesla failed to secure the robot properly, denied access to incident footage, and only implemented new rigging and safety protocols later. FANUC is accused of negligent design and inadequate safety warnings.

The filing comes against the backdrop of a broader history of robot-related industrial accidents, including previous Tesla incidents and cases involving FANUC equipment.

Data from OSHA documents numerous serious injuries and fatalities caused by industrial robots nationwide, with recorded accidents dating back to 1979. Hinterdobler’s lawsuit joins a growing body of litigation implicating both manufacturers and employers in maintaining safety standards for increasingly complex robotics.

The case raises substantial issues of product liability, workplace safety obligations, and employer duties in highly automated manufacturing environments. It illustrates how theories of liability may expand in the context of automation.

The plaintiff’s claims of negligent design, workplace safety violations, and breach of duty of care test the balance between employer responsibility and manufacturer accountability. The outcome may influence how courts evaluate compliance obligations and damages claims in the field of robotics.