Peter Hinterdobler, a Tesla robotics technician, is suing for $51 million after a FANUC robot’s arm suddenly released with 8,000-pound force, knocking him unconscious at the Fremont factory in July 2023.

His medical bills have already reached $1 million with $6 million more expected. The lawsuit alleges Tesla failed to properly secure the robot during disassembly and denied access to incident footage.

This follows previous robot-related injuries at Tesla facilities and broader industrial robot safety concerns.

Hinterdobler seeks damages for pain, emotional distress, lost earnings, and future medical expenses from both Tesla and FANUC.