Mechanical Design: Robotics and Human Relations: Risks, Ethics, and the Path Forward

Introduction

The rapid integration of robotics into industrial workplaces has transformed the way humans engage with machines. While robots promise efficiency, consistency, and relief from hazardous tasks, their deployment also exposes workers to new risks. Two recent incidents illustrate the dual-edged nature of this technological advancement: the alleged robotic arm attack in a Tesla facility, where a worker filed a lawsuit after suffering severe injuries, and the fatality in a Wisconsin pizza factory, where a worker was crushed by a robotic machine (People, 2025; New York Post, 2025). These tragedies highlight the urgent need to reexamine the relationship between humans and robots—not only from a technical standpoint but also from ethical, legal, and organizational perspectives.

This essay will explore the rise of robotics in industrial contexts, analyze the human-robot relationship, discuss the Tesla and Wisconsin cases as case studies, and evaluate the ethical and safety frameworks necessary to ensure a future where human dignity and safety are preserved.

The Rise of Robotics in Industry

Industrial robotics has become a cornerstone of global manufacturing and logistics. Robotics applications span across sectors such as automotive production, food processing, aerospace, and warehousing. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR, 2024), global robot installations grew by 7% in 2023, reflecting increasing reliance on automation. Companies adopt robotics for cost savings, operational efficiency, and the ability to perform repetitive or dangerous tasks that are less suitable for humans.

Yet, the accelerated adoption of robotics is not without drawbacks. Incidents such as mechanical failures, software errors, or improper human interaction expose workers to injuries that were previously less common. Moreover, small to mid-sized enterprises, which may lack robust safety infrastructures, increasingly incorporate robotic systems, amplifying risks in less regulated environments.

Human–Robot Relations: Collaboration and Tension

The field of human–robot interaction (HRI) examines how people and machines share workspaces. Traditional industrial robots are typically separated from humans by cages or barriers, while newer “collaborative robots” or cobots are designed to interact directly with workers (Dautenhahn, 2007). Cobots rely on sensors and AI-driven systems to avoid collisions, but their efficacy depends heavily on maintenance, programming accuracy, and operator training.

Trust plays a central role in human–robot relations. Research suggests that when workers trust robotic systems, productivity and safety outcomes improve (Hancock et al., 2011). However, misplaced trust—such as assuming a machine will always stop when necessary—can result in catastrophic accidents. Thus, tension arises between the promise of robotics as partners and the reality of machines as unpredictable hazards.

Case Study 1: Tesla Robotic Arm Lawsuit

The lawsuit filed by a former robotics technician against Tesla alleges that while disassembling a robotic arm, the machine unexpectedly moved, striking him, knocking him unconscious, and causing severe injuries (People, 2025). The case raises pressing questions regarding lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, which require energy sources to be isolated before servicing equipment (OSHA, 2023). If procedures were not followed or if the robotic system lacked sufficient interlocks, accountability may fall both on the company and the machine designers.

Beyond technical failure, the Tesla case highlights the blurred line of liability in human–robot relations. Was the fault due to human error, insufficient safety protocols, or a machine malfunction? The case underscores the legal complexity of attributing responsibility when humans and robots interact in shared spaces.

Case Study 2: Wisconsin Pizza Factory Fatality

In September 2025, a worker at a Wisconsin pizza production facility was killed after being crushed by a robotic machine (New York Post, 2025). Unlike Tesla, which operates at the frontier of automation, this incident occurred in a food-processing environment—illustrating the diffusion of robotics beyond advanced manufacturing.

Smaller facilities may lack the rigorous safety oversight common in larger corporations. Reports suggest that training, maintenance, and adequate guarding were insufficient. The tragedy illustrates that as robotics adoption expands, systemic issues such as cost-cutting, inadequate regulatory enforcement, and lack of expertise increase the likelihood of fatal outcomes.

Ethical Dimensions of Human–Robot Relations

The ethical implications of robotics in industry extend beyond safety compliance. When robots harm humans, questions of moral responsibility emerge. Is it the employer, the manufacturer, or the software developer who bears ultimate responsibility? (Borenstein & Pearson, 2010).

Workers also experience psychological consequences. The fear of injury, job displacement, and dehumanization are common themes in workplaces where machines dominate. Studies indicate that poor human–robot integration can lead to stress, job dissatisfaction, and mental health risks (Čaić et al., 2019). Ethical frameworks must therefore address not only physical safety but also the broader well-being of workers.

Designing Safer Human–Robot Futures

The path forward requires multi-layered strategies:

Engineering Safeguards: Robots should be equipped with advanced sensing technologies, fail-safes, and emergency stop mechanisms. AI-driven predictive maintenance can reduce the chance of catastrophic failures.
Procedural Safeguards: Employers must rigorously implement OSHA’s LOTO standards and other safety protocols, ensuring that servicing robots is never conducted without proper isolation.
Organizational Safeguards: A robust safety culture that empowers workers to report hazards without fear of retaliation is essential. Safety training must be continuous, not a one-time exercise.
Regulatory Oversight: Governments and standards organizations must strengthen oversight, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. International standards such as ISO 10218 (safety requirements for industrial robots) should be adopted widely.
Ethical Innovation: Robotics designers should incorporate human-centered design principles, ensuring that machines are not only efficient but also aligned with human safety and dignity. Transparency in AI-driven robotics decision-making is crucial for trust.

Conclusion

The incidents at Tesla and in Wisconsin serve as stark reminders that the integration of robotics into industrial settings is a double-edged sword. While robots promise efficiency and safety in theory, the reality is that human workers remain vulnerable to errors, oversights, and systemic failings. The relationship between humans and robots must therefore be reframed: not as a contest between man and machine, but as a partnership requiring ethical foresight, robust safety mechanisms, and regulatory vigilance.

Ultimately, the future of robotics and human relations lies in balance. As automation reshapes industries, society must ensure that technological progress does not come at the expense of human life or dignity. By embedding safety, ethics, and accountability into every stage of robotics deployment, we can chart a path where humans and machines work not in tension, but in harmony.

References

Borenstein, J., & Pearson, Y. (2010). Robot caregivers: Ethical issues across the human lifespan. Ethics and Information Technology, 12(3), 203–215.
Čaić, M., Odekerken-Schröder, G., & Mahr, D. (2019). Service robots: Value co-creation and co-destruction in elderly care networks. Journal of Service Management, 30(2), 147–165.
Dautenhahn, K. (2007). Socially intelligent robots: Dimensions of human–robot interaction. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 362(1480), 679–704.
Hancock, P. A., Billings, D. R., Schaefer, K. E., Chen, J. Y., De Visser, E. J., & Parasuraman, R. (2011). A meta-analysis of factors affecting trust in human-robot interaction. Human Factors, 53(5), 517–527.
International Federation of Robotics (IFR). (2024). World Robotics Report 2024. Frankfurt: IFR.
OSHA. (2023). Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout). Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/
People. (2025). Worker Sues Tesla and Is Seeking Millions After Alleged Robot Attack. Retrieved from https://people.com/
New York Post. (2025). Wisconsin pizza factory worker crushed to death by robotic machine. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/
Robotics and Human Relations: Balancing Innovation with Safety - Hamilton By Design