Tesla Sued for $51M Over Fremont Robot Injury

A Tesla robotics technician, 50-year-old Peter Hinterdobler, filed a $51 million federal lawsuit in Oakland claiming a robotic arm at Tesla’s Fremont plant “suddenly and without warning” released on July 22, 2023, propelled by its own power and an approximately 8,000-pound counterbalance, knocking him unconscious. Hinterdobler says his injuries have produced more than $1 million in medical bills with another $6 million expected, and he seeks damages including $20 million for pain and suffering, $10 million for emotional distress, lost wages and diminished earning capacity. The complaint accuses Tesla of failing to ensure the robot was safely de-energized, secured and placed in an appropriate area, and alleges Tesla denied him access to footage of the incident. Robotics maker FANUC is also named, with allegations of negligent design and inadequate instructions for safe operation. The filing notes Tesla later implemented new rigging and safety protocols related to the machine and highlights broader safety concerns at Tesla’s Fremont factory amid other lawsuits and previously reported robot-related incidents.