A report from the pseudo-reliable DigiTimes says Apple is set to move production of its iPhone batteries to an automated production line later this year.
The move is being done to reduce manpower demand and to allow the company to shift its supply chain resources towards production efforts on other parts.
Apple already relies heavily on automation, rather than manual assembly by workers, for its Mac Pro and iMac desktop computers.
The move should help with iPhone production moving forward, as manufacturing partner Pegatron is reportedly set to start production of the iPhone 6 in the second quarter of this year. Automated production may also help Apple avoid manufacturing defects like those found in a small number of iPhone 5s units last year.