Kenji Urada killed by a Kawasaki robot arm after entering the work envelope, Akashi, Japan (1981)
[INJURY]Jan 1, 1981 · Kawasaki Heavy Industries · RHP Kaleido · Humanoids
Failure Mode
INJURY
Event Date
Jan 1, 1981
Primary Entity
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Robotic Platform
RHP Kaleido
Jurisdiction / Location
Humanoids
Audit Standard
Physical State Verified
Incident Abstract & Audit Findings
In 1981 maintenance worker Kenji Urada was killed at a Kawasaki Heavy Industries plant in Akashi, Japan when he climbed over a safety fence to service a malfunctioning robot without fully powering it down; the hydraulic arm pushed him into an adjacent machine. One of the earliest documented industrial-robot fatalities (exact date variously reported; year firmly established).
System & Fleet Architecture
Operating Manufacturer
Hardware Platform
Operational Sectors
Primary Sources & Evidentiary Filings
- Inspect Filing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenji_Urada
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenji_Urada
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Details
Incident Context & FAQ
What happened in Kenji Urada killed by a Kawasaki robot arm after entering the work envelope, Akashi, Japan (1981)?
In 1981 maintenance worker Kenji Urada was killed at a Kawasaki Heavy Industries plant in Akashi, Japan when he climbed over a safety fence to service a malfunctioning robot without fully powering it down; the hydraulic arm pushed him into an adjacent machine. One of the earliest documented industrial-robot fatalities (exact date variously reported; year firmly established).
When did this incident occur?
The incident is recorded as occurring on January 1, 1981 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.
What robot was involved in Kenji Urada killed by a Kawasaki robot arm after entering the work envelope, Akashi, Japan (1981)?
RHP Kaleido by Kawasaki Heavy Industries is the recorded robot involved in this incident.
Has anyone responded to Kenji Urada killed by a Kawasaki robot arm after entering the work envelope, Akashi, Japan (1981)?
No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.
What is the current status of Kenji Urada killed by a Kawasaki robot arm after entering the work envelope, Akashi, Japan (1981)?
This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.