A Tesla engineer near Austin was reportedly assaulted by a robot in 2021, as per an incident report submitted to regulators.
This incident at Tesla's Gigafactory in Texas raised safety concerns and allegations of underreported injuries and a worker's death. More so, it has led to questions about Tesla's adherence to agreements and safety practices in the state.
A Tesla robot is seen on display during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on July 6, 2023.
Robot Attack Sparks Safety Concerns
Two witnesses at Tesla's Giga Texas watched in horror as a robot attacked a fellow employee responsible for programming software for disabled Tesla robots. The robot pinned the man, who was then working on software for other robots, and its metal claws caused significant injuries, leaving a trail of blood on the factory floor.
The incident, which occurred in 2021, was detailed in an injury report submitted to regulators, raising concerns about the safety of automated robots in the workplace.
Although no other robot-related injuries were reported in 2021 or 2022, there are allegations of underreported injuries at the Giga Texas factory. This includes the death of a construction worker on September 28, 2021, who was contracted to build the factory.
The attorney representing Tesla's Giga Texas contract workers believes that the number of injuries is being downplayed, emphasizing the need to scrutinize injury reports.
The attorney's claims are part of a larger trend, with similar findings by state regulators and investigative journalism organizations over the years. In 2018, California OSHA investigators found that Tesla omitted 36 injuries in government filings, misclassifying accidents to evade regulators.
Tesla's 2021 Annual Compliance Report for Giga Texas documented the robot attack but lacked detail. The report mentioned an "open wound" inflicted by a robot, with Tesla stating that the engineer required zero days off for recovery.
Tesla's Giga Texas plant reported a high rate of injuries, surpassing the auto industry's median rate. One in every 21 workers was injured on the job in 2022, compared to the industry's median rate of one in every 30 workers. The attorney argues that Tesla's decision to operate parts of the factory while still under construction may contribute to higher injury rates for workers in Texas.
READ ALSO: Tesla Will Focus More on Developing Humanoid Robots Called 'Optimus' in 2022, Elon Musk Says
What Can a Tesla Robot Do?
In 2022, Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled two real humanoid robot prototypes, Bumble C and Optimus. Bumble C, the first to walk untethered, displayed cautious movements during Tesla AI Day 2022. On the other hand, Optimus, a stationary prototype resembling a modern knight, impressed the audience with a wave and dance move. Musk described Optimus as a design fairly close to production, emphasizing its potential to assist millions with useful tasks.
Inspired by the human body, Optimus features arms, hands, legs, and a head, with a central computer in its torso. It incorporates a 2.3 kWh battery pack for a full day of work, alongside 28 structural actuators allowing movement.
Despite having fewer degrees of freedom in its hand compared to a human, it can execute both wide and precise adaptive grasps. Optimus can walk, self-calibrate limbs, pick up objects, and recognize environments, but Tesla acknowledges it is far from being fully useful.
While Optimus currently falls short of tasks like climbing stairs or using tools, Tesla plans to pilot a use-case program for Optimus in its production facilities. Despite skepticism, Musk envisions a future where Optimus becomes a versatile assistant in factories and homes, handling tasks like mowing lawns and doing dishes.
RELATED ARTICLE: 2022 Tesla AI Day: Humanoid Robot 'Optimus' Dances on Center Stage with Target Price Less Than $20,000
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