Foxconn to introduce high-tech robots to assist with iPhone assembly
Not content to simply design innovative products, Apple has long been interested in developing and employing innovative manufacturing methods as well. To that end, future iPhones may not necessarily be assembled by humans, but by robots.
News of a future filled with robotic overlords comes directly from Foxconn CEO Terry Gou who recently suggested that hi company may soon roll out a fleet of robots -- appropriately called Foxbots -- that will be able to assemble upwards of 30,000 devices. Note, though, that no time frame for the 30,000 units was provided, although some other sites are reporting that it's an annual production figure per robot.
With each robot costing upwards of US$25,000, Foxconn reportedly has 10,000 robots ready to go once final testing is complete.
Reports of a robotic future notwithstanding, Foxconn's human workforce doesn't seem like it will be taking a hit just yet. A few weeks ago, a report surfaced in the Tawian Economic Daily News claiming that Foxconn is planning to hire upwards of 100,000 employees to help with iPhone 6 production.
via GSM Dome
