VW robot kills worker

[DrLeftover]

Worker killed in Volkswagen robot accident
1 July

A technician has been killed by a robot at a Volkswagen plant near Kassel, Germany.

A 21 year old external contractor was installing the robot together with a colleague when he was struck in the chest by the robot and pressed against a metal plate. He later died of his injuries, reports Chris Bryant, the FT's Frankfurt correspondent.

Prosecutors have opened an investigation into how the accident occurred.

Robot-related fatalities are rare in western production plants as robots are kept behind safety cages to prevent accidental contact with humans.

http://www.ft.com/fastft/353721

 

[beowulf]

but a safety cage wouldnt have saved him since he was installing it!

but why was it powered up? why wernt the failsafe/trip motions working?

 

[Nebulous]

but a safety cage wouldnt have saved him since he was installing it!

but why was it powered up? why wernt the failsafe/trip motions working?

Indeed. Seems like carelessness contributed to the death here.

 

[+paradox]

robot or just human error?

 

[Jazzy]

He was probably "teaching" the robot which would require the installer to enter the safety cage with the teach remote (or whatever its called) and remotely move the machine. He probably made an error and switched it into run at the wrong time.

 

[beowulf]

then more fool him...........where i work the controls, are away from the robot so you cant physically be that close