Foxconn Set to Deploy Robots to Help Assemble the iPhone

[Thunderhawks]

I guess paying $6/day per worker is just too much for Apple's bottom line.
At 12 hours per shift, it comes out to 50c per hour.
These robots will be their new tool to pressure wages to be even lower.

Has nothing to do with Apple.

In any manufacturing environment machines replace/assist people where it makes financial sense, facilitates production and improves quality, output etc.

What we want are American robots, which will take away the manual work from
all the "guest workers"

 

[Cythth]

Why don't they mention how many higher paying jobs were created to build a million robots, or how many people will be needed to maintain them once in use? Why do reporters always only provide half the story?

Because they have an agenda or are plain ignorant. Either way, people have been complaining about technology replacing humans since the Industrial Revolution began.

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Pretty sure those addition jobs are in the new industries such as technology, consulting and banking. Which usually requires you to be above average in the smarts department. What about all those people we cant get in to those industries? Either due to the lack of education or just not being smart enough?

There will always be poor and ignorant people. Keeping unprofitable jobs around to employ them isn't the answer.

 

[kevintheartist]

Apple pays Foxconn a fixed price for each iPhone assembled, so they don't really care how much the workers are paid, or how many it takes.

It's Foxconn who cares. Over the past few years, they've had to greatly increase wages. Partly because of bad publicity. Partly because workers are getting harder to find. And partly because they need better workers for the future and are willing to pay for them.

At the same time, those higher wages have cut into their profit margin, so robots are their solution.

Actually part of this is not true. Apple was the only tech company who paid extra so the employees would get a better wage and they demanded better working conditions.

 

[winston1236]

I guess everyone will have to find something else to cry about now that they can't whine about working conditions for the workers assembling iPhones.

Because its such a terrible thing to back better working conditions for a fellow human...

 

[Chupa Chupa]

How would you like it if your great great grand daughter only way to make money is too sale herself in the city streets because robots have taken over 50% of the jobs we have today? Or maybe she wants to become a doctor or teacher but all have been replaced by mechs who are far superior, cheaper and "safer" to use? Or what if Korea decides to send combat robots to the United States because its "safer" for the Koreans? Or is it right for the United States to send combat mechs to other countries because we want to prevent US causality? When do you decide to stop?
I bet a great number of these Chinese female's will have to sale their bodies once they get laid off. What else do they have in China that makes the same money? If Foxconn had to put up nets around the buildings to prevent suicides I could only imagine what they would do when there is no work.
If I was them I would start a riot before it's too late. Why accept defeat laying down for the robots? If their going to replace me I'm going out with a bang.

You protesth too much. The world has gone though countless technological revolutions since the invention of the wheel and cart in which fewer men were needed to carry a greater amount of items. Technology always has positive and negative consequences, but humans are adaptable enough that they always find new ways to contribute to society.

A few widespread jobs that perished in the 20th century thanks to technology and a evolving society:

Iceman
Milkman
Coalman
Buggy whip manufacturers
Elevator operator
Copy Boy
Lamp lighter
Telegraph operator

Again, robots are already an integral part of manufacturing worldwide. Frankly I'm unsure what took Foxconn so long except that maybe robots were actually more expensive than the slave labor rates they were paying humans. But now with the world's eyes on them thanks to their Apple connection it's cheaper to go the robot route.

This doesn't minimize the bitter ramifications of those directly affected because their services are no longer needed, but, only to demonstrate, new jobs do appear in an evolving economy and that baseless fear (ludditism) is no excuse not to move forward.

 

[kdarling]

Actually part of this is not true. Apple was the only tech company who paid extra so the employees would get a better wage and they demanded better working conditions.

I don't recall anyone at Foxconn or Apple claiming that Apple paid for higher wages. A few analysts might've speculated that they did, but it's not Apple's way to do something that doesn't benefit themselves.

However, you're right that Foxconn did say that Apple was going to contribute to improving factory working conditions.

One such likely improvement was to dust removal at the iPad case finishing sections, where two explosions in different factories had caused casualties.

 

[ateslik]

A few widespread jobs that perished in the 20th century thanks to technology and a evolving society:

Iceman
Milkman
Coalman
Buggy whip manufacturers
Elevator operator
Copy Boy
Lamp lighter
Telegraph operator

Bowling pin setter
Typesetter
Animation Inker/Painter
Milliner (arguable)
Pin striper
Blacksmith
Lawyers

Just kidding about that last one, but it's fun to think about this list.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Will the robots need suicide nets also?

 

[Thunderhawks]

Because they have an agenda or are plain ignorant. Either way, people have been complaining about technology replacing humans since the Industrial Revolution began.

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There will always be poor and ignorant people. Keeping unprofitable jobs around to employ them isn't the answer.

Now you are at the root of all evil. Too many people .

Check out Bill Burr about this here:

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wq_edHqpdA

 

[wesker]

The market supplies the proper wage to those workers. If it didn't they wouldn't be lining up I'm droves for those jobs.

No, the market doesn't.

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Someone has to design and maintain those robots, so no jobs are being "lost".

Somehow, I doubt they have a 1:1 ratio on robot to maintenance person.

 

[mknlb50]

I wonder how most people here will react when these robots reach the stateside and put millions out of work.

 

[wesker]

My point is we should try and change that. I don't think many people are just naturally unintelligent, they just haven't had the kind of privileged upbringing we have enjoyed ourselves. Nobody would do this kind of work if they could avoid it.

Unfortunately the way global society is currently set up tends to trap people in poverty. Rich people 'need' poor people to do this kind of work for them, but if machines can do it instead, there is no longer any need for human exploitation.

I'm not saying it is going to be easy but we should at least try to give everyone on Earth a chance to achieve the high standard of living that we enjoy in the west. The way to do this is by providing high quality 'free' education to everyone as well as decent infrastructure, clean water, roads, internet, housing, healthcare etc.

Agreed. There's a reason why Germany and Japan are doing so well. They heavily invest in the education of their citizenry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6we0aW-mfpk

 

[mr99]

Will the robots need suicide nets also?

They've got that problem solved it seems.

 

[cocky jeremy]

Because its such a terrible thing to back better working conditions for a fellow human...

If you don't like your working conditions, go somewhere else. If you can't get anything better, you probably deserve whatever you get.

 

[Cythth]

Agreed. There's a reason why Germany and Japan are doing so well. They heavily invest in the education of their citizenry.

I'm sure the cultures of strong work ethics had nothing to do with it. /s

 

[proline]

Pretty sure those addition jobs are in the new industries such as technology, consulting and banking. Which usually requires you to be above average in the smarts department. What about all those people we cant get in to those industries? Either due to the lack of education or just not being smart enough?

Telephone operators and farmers weren't very bright in their day, but it wasn't an issue and they still found other jobs for two reasons:

a) a stronger economy supported by automation allows for more resources for education. Even the stupid can be taught if you throw enough time and money at it. Plus, people often aren't genetically stupid, they just lacked educational opportunity, 19th century farmers being a good example

b) as the economy strengthens thanks to automation, people can afford to hire foolish minions to do tasks they used to do themselves. For example, unlike 50 years ago middle class people today often go to restaurants and take cruises. This employs countless not-so-bright people as cooks, waitresses, flight attendants, entertainers, etc.

Things will be just fine.

 

[Jiz]

How many robots does it take to build an iPhone?

 

[s2mikey]

Another US guy talking BS out of his ass!!

How so, UK guy? Why don't you enlighten us then? Were waiting...

 

[the8thark]

Yup, robots are less inclined to tattle, or take pictures of their handywork...lol

Well until Skynet.

 

[woodekm]

Pre-robots era: "OMG Apple is so inhuman with their workers in China"
Post-robots era: "OMG Apple is so inhuman by firing people and replacing them with robots"

Trust me.

This just sums up 1 thing: You cant win against big corporation.

 

[MH01]

Pre-robots era: "OMG Apple is so inhuman with their workers in China"
Post-robots era: "OMG Apple is so inhuman by firing people and replacing them with robots"

Trust me.

Hey, no one forced them to produce all their goods in China

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Will the robots need suicide nets also?

Very tasteful comment there mate!

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How so, UK guy? Why don't you enlighten us then? Were waiting...

That would be British. And second, he is Albanian.

 

[Rossatron]

best. topic. ever.

 

[mr99]

How many robots does it take to build an iPhone?

Many. In a long assembly line. Quality should be nearly flawless now. No more returns because there is a nick in the band.

 

[sixrom]

Good.. they need to do something.. the conditions aren't great and honestly the production rates and number of failures is still pretty bad.

I agree. Not to mention the cosmetic damage present on a very high number of iPhones right out of the box. If this can be reduced or eliminated via automation, both Apple and their customers will benefit.

 

[mr99]

I agree. Not to mention the cosmetic damage present on a very high number of iPhones right out of the box. If this can be reduced or eliminated via automation, both Apple and their customers will benefit.

This is exactly what is happening.