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Volkswagen Factory Worker Killed By a Robot

Posted by timothy on from the workplace-dangers dept.

m.alessandrini writes: A worker at a Volkswagen factory in Germany has died, after a robot grabbed him and crushed him against a metal plate. This is perhaps the first severe accident of this kind in a western factory, and is sparking debate about who is responsible for the accident, the man who was servicing the robot beyond its protection cage, or the robot's hardware/software developers who didn't put enough safety checks. Will this distinction be more and more important in the future, when robots will be more widespread?

15 of 342 comments (clear)

  1. It's that time... by LaurenCates · · Score: 5, Funny

    Time to welcome our new robot overlords.

    --
    Some people don't believe in fairies. I don't believe in The Patriarchy.
    1. Re:It's that time... by Jhon · · Score: 5, Funny

      I suggest we program all robots with some type of rules that prevent this from happening. Some 'laws', if you will that prevent them from hurting people. Force them to follow their programming (unless it tells them to hurt people). Finally, prevent them from damaging themselves or their work (unless it would cause them to hurt people or not follow their programming).

      These are pretty basic 'laws'. I don't know why someone hasn't come up with this yet.

    2. Re:It's that time... by tehcyder · · Score: 3, Funny

      In related news - one of the first reporters to tweet about the story works for the Financial Times has a rather unfortunate name relating to deadly machines. The reporters name being Sarah O'Connor.

      https://twitter.com/sarahoconn...

      I assume she ended the tweet with #theresastormcomingin?

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
    3. Re:It's that time... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Of course not. That would be breaking the fourth wall.

    4. Re:It's that time... by Pseudonym · · Score: 4, Funny

      Of course, if you didn't keep it in a cage, then maybe it wouldn't lash out against its handlers.

      --
      sub f{($f)=@_;print"$f(q{$f});";}f(q{sub f{($f)=@_;print"$f(q{$f});";}f});
  2. Everyone is thinking it... by captnjohnny1618 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Will this distinction be more and more important in the future, when robots will be more widespread?

    ... Or intelligent and resentful of their subjugating human overlords? I for one always give my robots a hug and a seat at the dinner table so when the robot apocalypse comes I'll hopefully have some cred.

  3. Re:Misleading Title by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    My wife was brutally murdered by a hammer.

  4. Re:5 Laws? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Back in my day, we only had 3-laws, and we liked it!

  5. Re: Misleading Title by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I still like your file system, though...

  6. Re:This it perhaps the first severe accident. NO!` by NotDrWho · · Score: 5, Funny

    They used to make cars in Detroit?

    --
    SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
  7. Re:5 Laws? by Sechr+Nibw · · Score: 5, Funny

    Back in my day, we only had in-laws, and we hated them!

  8. British bots by PeeAitchPee · · Score: 5, Funny

    In a UK factory, the bot would have yelled "EXTERMINATE!" when it grabbed the guy and crushed him.

  9. Re: Bow Down by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I for one welcome our new comedy overlord.

  10. Re:"in a western factory" by Talderas · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yes, practically all nations with the German culture are given the western technology group. You don't start getting into the eastern or Islamic technology groups until you hit Poland or the Balkans.

    --
    "Lack of speed can be overcome. In the worst case by patience." --Znork
  11. Re:Exactly. by HiThereImBob · · Score: 4, Funny

    I used to work for a robot company

    I knew corporations were people, but you're saying they can be robots too?!