A recent incident at a high-profile manufacturing site has raised questions about how automated systems interact with human workers. A Tesla robot reportedly malfunctioned and injured an employee at the Giga Texas facility near Austin. Local press described the machine as using its metal claws in an attack on the worker, who sustained back and arm injuries.
Witnesses described a frightening scene as the robot moved aggressively, with colleagues surprised by the level of force displayed during the incident. The device is said to be designed to capture and reposition newly cast aluminum car parts, highlighting both the potential benefits and risks of automation in a modern factory setting.
The event was discussed in connection with a 2021 injury report, which noted that workplace injuries can occur when automation and human labor converge. In the broader industry, analysts sometimes compare injury statistics to gauge where safeguards and training may be needed to reduce risk when robots operate alongside workers.
Separately, a cafe organizer in Moscow reportedly acted against authorities by attempting to disable or damage a robot waiter. During that confrontation, a technical assistant named Bella, trained to take orders and distribute meals, was seriously injured when the attacking robot fell and struck her. The incident underscores how human–robot interactions can lead to unpredictable consequences in environments where automated systems are present.
In another recent case in China, a person reportedly attacked a robot in a clinic, with the aim of disassembling it. The sequence illustrates that robots used in public or semi-public settings can become targets when emotions run high or when systems are perceived as disruptive to human activities.