Contractor was setting up the stationary robot when it grabbed and crushed him against a metal plate at the plant in Baunatal
An investigation is under way into whether human error was to blame for the death of a contractor at the hands of a robot at a Volkswagen production plant. Photograph: Joerg Sarbach/AP
Associated Press in Berlin
Wednesday 1 July 2015 21.48 EDTLast modified on Thursday 2 July 201504.22 EDT
A robot has killed a contractor at one of Volkswagen’s production plants in Germany, the automaker has said.
The man died on Monday at the plant in Baunatal, about 100km (62 miles) north of Frankfurt, VW spokesman Heiko Hillwig said.
The 22-year-old was part of a team that was setting up the stationary robot when it grabbed and crushed him against a metal plate, Hillwig said.
He said initial conclusions indicate that human error was to blame, rather than a problem with the robot, which can be programmed to perform various tasks in the assembly process. He said it normally operates within a confined area at the plant, grabbing auto parts and manipulating them.
Another contractor was present when the incident occurred, but was not harmed, Hillwig said. He declined to give any more details about the case, citing an ongoing investigation.
German news agency DPA reported that prosecutors were considering whether to bring charges, and if so, against whom.
The answer I’d like to know – was it outsourcing company that took care of programming?
