Foxconn to Replace a Portion of its Workers with 1 Million Robots

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Xinhuanet reports that Foxconn will be replacing some of its workers with 1 million robots in the next three years to cut rising labor costs and improve efficiency.

The robots will be used to do simple and routine work such as spraying, welding and assembling which are now mainly conducted by workers, said Gou

The company currently has 10,000 robots and employs 1.2 million people. It's not clear how many jobs will be replaced by the robots.

Foxconn is Apple's primary partner in assembling the popular iPod, iPad, and iPhone lines and has been criticized for poor working conditions that may have contributed to a series of suicides at the plant.


In April, Engadget had previously pointed to this concept model FRIDA by ABB as the likely models for Foxconn, though the new report doesn't specify.

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Top Rated Comments

BornAgainMac Avatar
177 months ago
Androids will assemble the iPhone.
Score: 46 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FrankieTDouglas Avatar
177 months ago
Poor working conditions, replaced by unemployment.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lilcosco08 Avatar
177 months ago
In other news, Foxconn will be changing its name to Aperture Science
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0098386 Avatar
177 months ago
Robots. Whoa.

I wonder if they have a bending unit?
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bloijs Avatar
177 months ago
But the real question is: how well can they apply thermal paste?
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flopticalcube Avatar
177 months ago
And this sets in motion the process of Foxconn opening a U.S. manufacturing plant in a few years.

Total number of employees: 6.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)