Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

iphones

Foxconn boss Terry Gou considers automating the entire population of Taiwan

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Foxconn boss Terry Gou has confirmed that he is considering running for president in Taiwan’s general election next year, according to the South China Morning Post.

“I will decide in the next two days whether to run for president,” Gou told reporters at a seminar in Taipei earlier today. “I hardly slept last night thinking of the future of Taiwan and its security issues.”

He added that the 2020 presidential election will be “extremely critical in determining Taiwan’s future in the next 20 years in the political, defense and economic sectors”.  [Read more…] about Foxconn boss Terry Gou considers automating the entire population of Taiwan

Foxconn to manufacture ‘95 per cent’ of new Apple iPhone 8

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iphones

Foxconn is to produce 95 per cent of the new Apple iPhone, the eighth incarnation of the device, according to a report on PatentlyApple.com. 

It’s not clear from the story whether any of the production will take place in the US, although that’s unlikely given that Foxconn hasn’t even chosen where in the US to expand its manufacturing operations.

The Taiwanese manufacturer has been considering its options, and Michigan is said to be one of the locations being scouted.  [Read more…] about Foxconn to manufacture ‘95 per cent’ of new Apple iPhone 8

Apple developing processor especially for AI

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Apple A10 chip for iPhone 7
Picture of chip for iPhone 7 via ExtremeTech.com

Apple is developing a processor specially for artificial intelligence applications, according to a report on Bloomberg. 

The maker of iPhones, iPads and a number of other computing devices and machines is said to refer to the chip internally as the “Apple Neural Engine”.

Bloomberg, which says its source requested anonymity, adds that the AI-dedicated chip will be used for facial recognition, speech processing and other tasks which require the processing of large amounts of data.  [Read more…] about Apple developing processor especially for AI

Apple begins manufacturing iPhones in India

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After months of protracted negotiations, Apple has started manufacturing its iPhones in India. 

The factory is variously said to be in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and / or Karnathaka. Not knowing the geography all that well, we think this is slightly south-west of the middle of India.

The picture above is from IndRead.com, which seems to suggest Foxconn is setting up and running the factory. Foxconn is the Taiwanese company which manufactures most of Apple’s products.

Apple has begun making what was described as “a small number” of iPhones in the country, although a “small number” could mean hundreds of millions, considering there are more than a billion iPhones in the world today.

In comments to CNBC, Apple said, “We are beginning initial production of a small number of iPhone SE in Bengaluru”, adding that it plans to begin shipping to customers as early as this month.  [Read more…] about Apple begins manufacturing iPhones in India

Apple robot plunders $40 million worth of gold from discarded iPhones

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apple liam robot
The Apple Liam robot deconstructs iPhones and saves components and materials for recycling

An Apple master robot with 29 arms and modules has looted $40 million worth of gold from discarded iPhones, according to a report by CNN. 

The exverimental robot, named Liam, is reportedly able to disassemble an iPhone and recover all of the components and materials inside within 11 seconds.

Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environment, says Liam is designed to help recover and recycle material, as part of the company’s eco-friendly policies, or a “circular economy”, as Jackson calls it.

Apple is said to be using 100 per cent renewable power in 25 countries including the US and China.

Liam is currently operating in California and the Netherlands, and Apple plans to introduce the robot into other territories around the world.

Apple releases robot that takes apart iPhones and saves valuable components

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apple liam robot
The Apple Liam robot deconstructs iPhones and saves components and materials for recycling

Apple has introduced a robot that takes apart discarded iPhones and recycles the valuable components inside, according to a report on the Reuters website.

Liam is reported to have been in development for three years, and will start with disassembling the iPhone 6.

Apple says it will modify the robot so it can handle a variety of devices and recover more of their components and materials.

According to Reuters, the Liam system consists of 29 robotic modules on a single site near Apple’s headquarters in California. It will focus initially on iPhone 6 phones. A second Liam robot is being installed in Europe, Apple said.

Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, said Liam can help push the technology sector toward more recycling, by manufacturers and consumers. “We need more R&D if we are going to realize the idea of a circular economy in electronics,” she said.

Apple made the announcement about Liam the robot at the same time as it launched its new range of technologies, which included a tiny iPhone SE.

Full story at the Reuters.com.