Longtime Apple manufacturer Foxconn is planning to deploy robots in its factories, it has been reported.
Apple is reportedly one of the first companies looking to use these robots, dubbed, ‘Foxbots’ as it prepares for the expected launch of the iPhone 6. Of course, one of these reasons we already know (or at least think we know…) all about the iPhone 6 is because of the leaks that come from the human employees at these factories.
The reports claim that Foxconn plans to use 10,000 robots, with the ability to assemble around 30,000 devices. However, whether this will come to fruition will remain to be seen – there are a number of reasons this may not happen in time for the iPhone 6 assembly process.
Firstly, this isn’t the first time Foxconn has announced an army of robots to work in its factories. Back in 2011, the company said it would add 1 million robots to its workforce.
Also of note, is that the company plans to hire 100,000 extra workers in preparation for the iPhone 6, suggesting that these robots aren’t quite putting their human counterparts out of work just yet.
And thirdly, each robot is estimated to cost between $20,000 and $25,000, which will require serious investment.
It’s also been rumored that Foxconn will start assembling the iPhone 6 in August in preparation for the device going on sale in Apple retail stores in September.