A man in Michigan has filed a federal suit after a rogue robot killed his wife while she was at work. William Holbrook is suing robotics comapnies Prodomax Automation Canada, Flex-N-Gate LLC, FANUC America Corp., Nachi Robotic Systems Inc., and Lincoln Electric Company on allegations including negligence and defective design. According to the suit filed last week, Wanda Holbrook, a technician at Ventra Ionia, was killed in July 7 2015 after a robot in a factory for bumpers and trailer hitches went rogue, entered an area it was not supposed to be in and crushed Holbrooks's skull while she was inspecting machinery. Holbrook was pronounced dead at the scene after discovered by coworkers. “Upon entering the section, the robot hit and crushed Wanda’s head between a hitch assembly it was attempting to place,” the court papers say. The lawsuit also says the automation system in the area did not adhere to numerous safety regulations. Safety doors were installed specifically to prevent robot movement in unauthorized areas, which were not effective. Lincoln spokeswoman Amanda Butler offered condolences to the Holbrook family but declined to comment on the lawsuit. “While we can’t comment specifically before thoroughly reviewing the suit, we can say that Lincoln Electric is committed to the design and production of safe solutions,” Butler said.

A man in Michigan has filed a federal suit after a rogue robot killed his wife while she was at work.

William Holbrook is suing robotics comapnies Prodomax Automation Canada, Flex-N-Gate LLC, FANUC America Corp., Nachi Robotic Systems Inc., and Lincoln Electric Company on allegations including negligence and defective design.


According to the suit filed last week, Wanda Holbrook, a technician at Ventra Ionia, was killed in July 7 2015 after a robot in a factory for bumpers and trailer hitches went rogue, entered an area it was not supposed to be in and crushed Holbrooks's skull while she was inspecting machinery.

Holbrook was pronounced dead at the scene after discovered by coworkers.

“Upon entering the section, the robot hit and crushed Wanda’s head between a hitch assembly it was attempting to place,” the court papers say.



The lawsuit also says the automation system in the area did not adhere to numerous safety regulations. Safety doors were installed specifically to prevent robot movement in unauthorized areas, which were not effective.

Lincoln spokeswoman Amanda Butler offered condolences to the Holbrook family but declined to comment on the lawsuit.



“While we can’t comment specifically before thoroughly reviewing the suit, we can say that Lincoln Electric is committed to the design and production of safe solutions,” Butler said.

