Strange but true: We may soon live in a world where Apple’s iPhones are built by Google robots. Google’s robotic division is reportedly assisting Foxconn to “speed up robot deployment” at its factories.
The WSJ reports that Foxconn was looking for assistance in automating its production lines, while Google is aiming to introduce robots to manufacturing processes that have so far been largely manual – electronics assembly being a key example. It takes around 600 people to make each iPhone.
The report notes that Foxconn has been working with former Android executive Andy Rubin since last year. Looking to speed up robot deployment at Foxconn factories, the company’s chairman Terry Gou met with Rubin in Taipei recently to discuss new robotic technologies.
Google has acquired eight robotics firms in the past year, and is rumored to be ambitiously creating a robotic operating system that will reduce operating costs and boost efficiency.
