Tesla worker sues after robot injures him at Fremont plant
A veteran Tesla mechanic is suing the company after a humanoid robot knocked him unconscious during a maintenance shift. The incident involved the 'Optimus' robot pinning Peter Hinterdobler to the ground with significant force. He alleges negligence in the robot's operation and maintenance.
Peter Hinterdobler, a robotic mechanic at Tesla's Fremont plant, filed a lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court following an incident in February 2025. During a late-night maintenance shift, the company's 'Optimus' humanoid robot, designed for warehouse automation and mobility tasks, unexpectedly activated. According to the complaint, the robot clamped its mechanical arm onto Hinterdobler's left shoulder, knocking him unconscious and pinning him against an adjacent table with an estimated 8,000 pounds of counterbalance weight.
Hinterdobler's co-workers rushed to assist, deactivating the robot after several minutes and freeing him. He suffered injuries to his shoulder, neck, and back, along with ongoing psychological trauma. The lawsuit accuses Tesla of negligence in developing, operating, and maintaining the robot, claiming the company knew of its erratic behavior but failed to implement substantive repairs.
Hinterdobler seeks damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages, which his attorneys describe as stemming from Tesla's 'willful and reckless disregard' for employee safety. Tesla did not respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit.
This case highlights potential risks in deploying advanced robotics in industrial settings, where human workers interact closely with automated systems. The 'Optimus' robot is part of Tesla's efforts to integrate AI-driven humanoids into manufacturing processes.