Apple wants to entrust machines with iPhone battery production

According to DigiTimes, Apple wants tomake its iPhone batteries on automated production lines as early asthis year. A good sign that Apple is on the right track with thisapproach is the fact that its Mac Pro and iMac production lines arealready automated, with only materials and final assembly falling inthe hands of workers. If machines are able to churn out suchspectacular-looking computers (with a little help), mintingbatteries should be a breeze.

Although Apple will be able to locateits automated production lines everywhere, the company will retainits positions in China, as most of its supply chain is establishedthere. However, the iPhone maker is seriously looking intomechanizing the production process, because the Chinese manufacturingindustry is increasing its costs. According to the report, localminimum wages have been on the rise, and younger workers are not aswilling to work in factories as before. However, the People'srepublic will remain a dominant manufacturing destination for Appleand other technology vendors, while Southeast Asian countries likeVietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore, are still dealing with laborstrikes and lack of large-scale infrastructure.

Obviously, machine building will reducethe need for human labor, while boosting production efficiency. Theformer benefit is especially welcome, because Apple has been aconstant target of labor rights controversies due to its largereliance on Chinese contract manufacturers, such as Foxconn andPegatron. The most recent movement intended to pressure the companyinto clearing its production process of benzene and other

If machines are able to churn out Mac Pros and iMacs, minting batteries should be a breeze.

toxicchemicals. Automation could go a long way with solving such healthhazards, but it incurs the cost of creating less work positions. Thiscould be a concern for employers, because if Apple succeeds withautomating battery production, other vendors are expected to do thesame, and this will surely make an impact on the manufacturingindustry.

source: DigiTimes