Robot pins down and "sinks claws" into back of Tesla worker
Robot pins down and "sinks claws" into back of Tesla worker
Occurred: 2021
Page published: May 2025 | Updated: May 2025
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A Tesla engineer at the company’s Texas Gigafactory was injured when a robot malfunctioned, pinning him and sinking its metal claws into his back and arm, leaving a trail of blood and raising concerns about workplace safety.
During a 2021 incident at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, a software engineer was programming robots responsible for cutting car parts from aluminum. While two robots were disabled for maintenance, a third remained operational by mistake.
The active robot pinned the engineer against a surface, pushing its claws into his back and arm and causing lacerations and bleeding. The engineer escaped after a colleague hit the emergency stop, but not before leaving a trail of blood and falling down a scrap metal chute.
Described as an “open wound,” the injury did not require the employee to take time off, but the event highlighted the physical dangers posed by industrial robots when safety protocols fail.
The incident occurred due to human error: one of the robots was inadvertently left on during maintenance. This oversight allowed the robot to operate as normal, leading to the attack.
Witnesses and reports suggest that pressure for rapid production at the factory has led to safety lapses, with some employees alleging that Tesla management regularly cuts corners on construction, maintenance, and operations.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about workplace safety at Tesla’s Texas facility, which reportedly has a higher-than-average injury rate compared to the automotive industry.
It also raises questions about the rapid integration of robotics and automation in industrial settings, emphasising the need for robust safety measures, transparency in injury reporting, and greater oversight as automation becomes more prevalent in the workplace.
Industrial robot
An industrial robot is a robot system used for manufacturing. Industrial robots are automated, programmable and capable of movement on three or more axes.[1]
Source: Wikipedia 🔗
2021: Tesla robot pins engineer against a surface, sinking its metal claws into his back and arm
December 2023: Details of the incident become public through a media investigation and workplace safety reports
Developer: KUKA
Country: USA
Sector: Automotive
Purpose: Cut car parts
Technology: Robotics
Issue: Accountability; Safety; Transparency