Apple cuts workers on iPhone assembly lines to automate production

Apple intends to significantly reduce the number of workers on iPhone assembly lines by automating a large part of the production process. However, the implementation of these plans is delayed for at least a year due to complications during the release of the new smartphone model.

iPhone production automation

Initiative to replace human labor

Apple Corporation seeks to reduce the reliance on manual labor on its assembly lines . After an incident at a Foxconn factory in 2022, when workers protested strict quarantine restrictions and pay conditions that led to iPhone shortages and falling sales, the company decided to redouble its efforts to automate smartphone production.

Implementation of the latest technologies

Apple actively invests in the development and introduction of innovative solutions for assembly automation iPhone. In particular, the company acquired startups DarwinAI and Drishti, which specialize in computer vision and video analysis to detect defects and optimize production processes. Thanks to these innovations, it was possible to automate a significant part of the smartphone assembly work during the production of the iPhone 15.

Challenges on the way to full automation

Despite advances in automating certain assembly steps, Apple still faces difficulties in replacing human labor in some critical operations, such as installing buttons, speakers and core components in the iPhone case. In addition, the company's partners are reluctant to invest in specialized automation equipment due to fears that Apple may significantly change the design of its smartphone in the future.

Postponement of plans

Due to high defect rates in the late stages of development of the iPhone 16, Apple was forced to postpone the implementation of its plans for full automation of assembly lines. As such, the company has to postpone its ambitious plans for at least a year, keeping a significant number of jobs in China for now.

Glossary

• Apple is an American technology company known for its innovative products such as the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.
• Foxconn is a Taiwanese electronics manufacturing company that is one of Apple's largest partners in iPhone production.
• DarwinAI is a Canadian startup that specializes in using computer vision to detect defects in components.
• Drishti is an American company that helps analyze video recordings from conveyors to optimize production processes.

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Discussion of the topic – Apple cuts workers on iPhone assembly lines to automate production

2024-06-25

Apple plans to lay off half of the workers on some iPhone assembly lines to automate the process. However, the plans had to be postponed for at least a year due to the release of the new iPhone 16 model.

Zinaida Rumyantseva
Zinaida Rumyantseva Copywriter Elbuz

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