Current:Home > NewsAn industrial robot crushed a worker to death at a vegetable packing plant in South Korea-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
An industrial robot crushed a worker to death at a vegetable packing plant in South Korea
View Date:2025-01-11 08:21:12
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — An industrial robot crushed a worker to death at a vegetable packaging plant in South Korea, police said Thursday, as they investigate whether the machine was unsafe or had potential defects.
According to police officials in the southern county of Goseong, the man died of head and chest injuries Tuesday after he was grabbed and pressed against a conveyor belt by the machine’s robotic arms. Police did not release his name but said the man was an employee of a company that installs industrial robots and was sent to the plant to examine whether the machine was working properly.
The machine was one of two pick-and-place robots used at the facility that packages bell peppers and other vegetables exported to other Asian countries, police said. Such machines are common in South Korea’s agricultural communities.
“It wasn’t an advanced, artificial intelligence-powered robot, but a machine that simply picks up boxes and puts them on pallets,” said Kang Jin-gi, who heads the investigations department at Gosong Police Station. He said the police were working with related agencies to determine whether the machine had technical defects or safety issues.
Another police official, who did not want to be named because he wasn’t authorized to talk to reporters, said police were also looking into the possibility of human error. The robot’s sensors are designed to identify boxes, and security camera footage indicated the man had moved near the robot with a box in his hands, which likely triggered the machine’s reaction, the official said.
“It’s clearly not a case where a robot confused a human with a box – this wasn’t a very sophisticated machine,” he said.
South Korea has had other safety accidents involving industrial robots in recent years. In March, a manufacturing robot crushed and seriously injured a worker who was examining the machine at an auto parts factory in Gunsan. Last year, a robot installed near a conveyor belt fatally crushed a worker at a milk factory in Pyeongtaek.
veryGood! (46)
Related
- Cavaliers' Darius Garland rediscovers joy for basketball under new coach
- Hundreds of thousands are without power as major winter storm blasts the U.S.
- Why Sleuths Have Determined Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Is Coming Soon
- Rise Of The Dinosaurs
- Dramatic video shows Phoenix police rescue, pull man from car submerged in pool: Watch
- Dozens died trying to cross this fence into Europe in June. This man survived
- Lola Consuelos Supports Parents Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos at Live With Kelly and Mark Debut
- Bebe Rexha Addresses Upsetting Interest in Her Weight Gain
- Sean Diddy Combs' Lawyers File New Motion for Bail, Claiming Evidence Depicts a Consensual Relationship
- Sofia Richie Shares Glimpse into Her Bridal Prep Ahead of Elliot Grainge Wedding
Ranking
- Get $103 Worth of Tatcha Skincare for $43.98 + 70% Off Flash Deals on Elemis, Josie Maran & More
- Teddi Mellencamp's Past One-Night-Stand With Matt Damon Revealed—and Her Reaction Is Priceless
- We need native seeds in order to respond to climate change, but there aren't enough
- The Fight To Keep Climate Change Off The Back Burner
- John Krasinski named People magazine’s 2024 Sexiest Man Alive
- Kourtney Kardashian's Birthday Gift From Travis Barker Is Worth Over $160,000
- Look Back on All of the Love Is Blind Hookups That Happened Off-Camera
- Can a middle school class help scientists create a cooler place to play?
Recommendation
-
Rita Ora Says Liam Payne “Left Such a Mark on This World” in Emotional Tribute
-
Andy Cohen Defends BFFs Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos After Negative Live Review
-
Why Olivia Culpo Joked She Was Annoyed Ahead of Surprise Proposal From Christian McCaffrey
-
You'll Be Soaring After Learning Zac Efron Just Followed Ex-Girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens on Instagram
-
NFL coaches diversity report 2024: Gains at head coach, setbacks at offensive coordinator
-
Truck makers lobby to weaken U.S. climate policies, report finds
-
We need native seeds in order to respond to climate change, but there aren't enough
-
Ryan Reynolds Jokes His and Blake Lively's Kids Have a Private Instagram Account