Anonymous
Unregistered
How 128 robot arms can do the work of hundreds of Chinese electronics workers
Foxconn, the contract manufacturer that makes Apple’s iPhones and other products, says it plans to install more than a million robots in the next few years to supplement its work force in China. But it isn’t clear how many workers the robots will eliminate.
mikiem2
Moderator
Thanks!
More automated manufacturing is *slowly* bringing more manufacturing back to the U.S., but initial investment is high & unions fight it tooth & nail. It also has big benefits in warehousing/material handling -- it's more efficient, can save money for example by not having to turn the lights in the building on, & neither steals nor misplaces anything [years ago Disney lost something like 30% of everything they warehoused in Orlando].
What surprises me is Foxconn automating in China... If it eliminated some of the mind-numbing jobs they'd have less labor problems, but I'm surprised the Chinese gov would let them even think about doing something that hints less workers would be employed. I've had the impression that China would spend whatever fortunes necessary, making work etc. to keep people employed to keep a lid on social unrest.
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