A contractor at a VW plant north of Frankfurt, Germany, was killed by an industrial robot that grabbed and crushed him against a metal plate.

VW said the intial conclusions of its investigation into the incident had suggested that human error was to blame. The robotic line being assembled had not been formally handed over to Volkswagen, according to the car manufacturer.

VW also said the robot usually operated within a confined area at the plant, grabbing auto parts and manipulating them.

The incident prompted unions and others to express their concerns about the safety dangers of industrial robots.

It also prompted debate about responsibility and legal liability in such circumstances.