Apple is making a big push to have its suppliers automate more of their factories. They want companies to invest heavily in robotics and smart manufacturing technology if they want Apple’s business. This isn’t a new idea, but now Apple is insisting on it more than ever. If a supplier hopes to get an order from Apple, they’ll need to ramp up automation across all their production lines.

The goal is to make manufacturing more efficient and cut costs in the long run. The initial investment can be expensive, but Apple believes it will pay off with faster production and fewer workers needed. It’s all part of Apple’s plan to move manufacturing away from China and bring some of it back to other places or run it more smartly.

The Shift Toward Smarter Factories

Apple has long been investing in smart factories, and recent reports show they are going even further. They’re aiming to cut the number of workers needed for final iPhone assembly by about half. Some factories have already seen a 30% reduction in staff. Apple is investing in advanced AI systems and automation tools to make this happen.

One major player, Foxconn, which makes many Apple products, is also investing heavily in automation. Back in 2016, Foxconn replaced 60,000 employees with robots in one of its factories. They’re now experimenting with humanoid robots and other advanced machines. Foxconn has already reduced its human workforce significantly, and more cuts are expected as automation improves.

The Future of Manufacturing Jobs

All this automation points to a future where factories look very different. Many manufacturing jobs will come back to Western countries, but they won’t be the same as before. These factories will have fewer people, with machines and robots doing most of the work. The factories will be mostly empty, with security and remote maintenance being the main on-site roles.

Humans will mostly handle the tasks that require finesse or judgment. For example, workers might oversee robots or fix machines when needed. These jobs will require some technical knowledge, but not necessarily high-level skills. Workers might wear virtual reality headsets to troubleshoot or communicate with remote experts. It will be cheaper for companies to employ a few skilled specialists and smart engineers than large numbers of manual laborers.

While some dangerous or complex tasks may still need humans, automation will handle many routine processes. Robots and AI will work together, making the whole system more efficient and less reliant on human labor. This shift could also mean that factory jobs in the future will be safer and more strategic, focusing on system upkeep rather than manual labor.

The energy powering these factories will likely come from renewable sources like solar power, making manufacturing more environmentally friendly and cheaper to run. Fully automated factories could produce goods using recycled materials, lowering raw material costs and reducing environmental impact. Although fossil fuels will still be used for some energy needs, the trend is clearly moving toward cleaner, cheaper energy sources.

This new manufacturing landscape is shaping up to be in America’s future, but it’s happening everywhere. Apple’s massive $500 billion Advanced Manufacturing Fund will likely be used to develop these technologies further. As automation advances, traditional factory jobs may diminish, but new opportunities could emerge—perhaps in overseeing security, maintaining robots, or managing AI systems. Still, these roles may not last forever as factories become more autonomous.

All in all, the future of manufacturing is heading toward smarter, cleaner, and more automated systems. It’s an exciting, if different, world that’s just around the corner.

Inspired by

• https://www.computerworld.com/article/4049837/apples-going-to-automate-all-the-iphone-factories.html

Sources

• gmpg.org
• digitimes.com
• theinformation.com
• applemust.com
• themanufacturer.com