Robot kills factory worker in Germany

A robot has killed a factory worker after picking him up and crushing him against a metal plate at a Volkswagen plant, it has been revealed.

The man died at a production plant in Baunatal, about 62 miles (100km) north of Frankfurt in central Germany, according to VW.


The 22-year-old was part of a team that was setting up the stationary robot when it grabbed and crushed him against metal plating, the company's spokesman Heiko 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 added that 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 wasn't 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.

A spokeswoman from Volkswagen told The Independent: 'Earlier this week a contractor was injured while installing some machinery in the Kassel factory.

'He died later in hospital from his injuries and our thoughts are with his family.

'We are of course carrying out a thorough investigation into the incident and cannot comment further at this time.'

Credit: Daily Mail