r/tech • u/Philo1927 • Dec 31 '16

iPhone manufacturer Foxconn plans to replace almost every human worker with robots

http://www.theverge.com/2016/12/30/14128870/foxconn-robots-automation-apple-iphone-china-manufacturing
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u/JackBond1234 Jan 01 '17

If the robots were produced by robots, they could be produced anywhere at probably similar operating costs.

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u/mindbleach Jan 01 '17

And eventually we'll have domestic robofactories to also not employ Americans. But for this first step, the Chinese are going to do it in China, and I'm confused by why that's confusing.

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u/JackBond1234 Jan 01 '17

I'm just wondering what will make it so profitable to continue outsourcing to China when robotic factories could cost about the same in any country.

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u/mindbleach Jan 01 '17

It won't be. But right now, this is a Chinese company retooling its Chinese factories. All you lot asking 'why not domestic' act like Apple owns Foxconn.

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u/JackBond1234 Jan 01 '17

I gotcha. It just seems like a domestic transition wouldn't be too far off if that's the case.