German factory worker killed after being struck by humanoid robot at Mercedes-Benz plant

Ralf Kortenkamp, a 42-year-old technician, was killed earlier today in a tragic accident involving an Apptronik Apollo robot at the Mercedes-Benz manufacturing facility in Berlin.

According to preliminary reports, Kortenkamp had been working near one of the factory’s new humanoid robotic systems, which was being used to transport heavy vehicle components across the production line. The incident occurred during a mid-morning shift when the machine reportedly malfunctioned while lifting a large car part.

Investigators say the Apollo robot unexpectedly released the component, striking Kortenkamp on the head and knocking him unconscious. Emergency services were called immediately, but the technician was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Apollo system, built by Texas-based robotics company Apptronik, is designed to assist workers in handling repetitive or physically demanding tasks. Early findings suggest that the robot’s sensor array may have failed to properly detect Kortenkamp’s position, treating him as a static object instead of a human.

Mercedes-Benz has suspended operations in the affected section of the factory while a full investigation is underway. The company released a brief statement expressing condolences to the victim’s family and confirming cooperation with local authorities and Apptronik engineers to determine the exact cause of the malfunction. 

The German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has also been notified and will be reviewing safety protocols at the site. Workers described the scene as “shocking” and said that the robotic systems had been recently introduced as part of the company’s modernization initiative. 

Experts note that this is one of the first fatal accidents involving a next-generation humanoid robot in a major European automotive facility. It echoes early industrial tragedies during the initial rise of automation decades ago, now resurfacing in an era where AI-driven machines are entering the human workspace once again.

Witnesses working nearby said the event unfolded in seconds. Kortenkamp had reportedly been overseeing the calibration of one of the Apollo units when the robot’s arm, which was carrying a metal chassis component, froze momentarily before dropping the load without warning. A co-worker who rushed to help said the impact was “immediate and devastating,” adding that the robot appeared to continue its programmed motion for several moments before being manually shut down.

Apptronik engineers arrived at the factory later in the day to assist investigators in reviewing data logs from the robot’s onboard computer. The Apollo unit was removed from the production floor and isolated for analysis. Early speculation suggests a software fault in the object-recognition system may have prevented the robot from recognizing a human presence within its working range. Sources familiar with the investigation said all similar robots at the Berlin plant have been temporarily deactivated pending inspection.

The Apollo robots were introduced to the Berlin facility earlier this year as part of a pilot program aimed at reducing physical strain on employees and improving production efficiency. Workers described the humanoid machines as highly advanced, capable of walking, lifting, and operating alongside people. Several employees told reporters that safety training had been provided, though some admitted they still felt uneasy working in close proximity to machines with full mobility and autonomous decision-making capabilities.

Authorities expect an official report within the coming weeks.