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[MarketWatch] Foxconn replaces 60,000 humans with robots in China

5K views 95 replies 61 participants last post by  Zatarra09 
#1 ·
Source
Quote:
"Across all of our facilities today, we are applying robotics engineering and other innovative manufacturing technologies to replace repetitive tasks previously done by employees," Foxconn said. "As our manufacturing processes and the products we produce become more technologically advanced, automation is playing an increasingly important role in our operations and we have plans to automate more of our manufacturing operations over the coming years."

Roughly 600 companies in the Kunshan region are reportedly looking to reduce headcount with robots, as part of an effort to accelerate growth and reduce costs, according to the South China Morning Post, which cited data from the Kunshan government. Last year, 35 Taiwanese companies, including Foxconn, spent a total of 4 billion yuan ($610 million) on artificial intelligence as part of this initiative, according to the report.
It has begun...
 
#5 ·
That's a lot of people.
 
#7 ·
Foxconn's CEO said last year he intended to replace his 1.5 million cows (he calls them cattle) with robots.
 
#9 ·
This will lead to mass unemployment in China as far too many of them work as unskilled labor in factories assembling stuff. Given their work ethic for excelling at schooling and stuff hopefully it will be a very short depression as they move into different, more skilled areas. This will also lead to more unemployment in America as these Chinese factories gain better QC and precision as well as cheaper costs. Things that still had to be done by the higher precision places here will now begin to move that work overseas.

This is probably driven not only by profit, but also because of the bad press Foxcon gets. Remember all those suicides and such? the mass protests of the company? The mandated extra time given to employees for exercise to keep them happier? Now Foxcon can work "24/7" without having to get the bad press of human rights violations and increasing costs of bowing to such things.
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheLAWNOOB View Post

No, it's not.

Sooner or later they will starting to replace millions of people.

Then China will get screwed because the peple who got fired will be mad and probably turn to crime to get money.
Not likely, at least that is not how it happened in other industrialized nations. The transition away from manufacturing will be gradual. In the mean time people will be pushed into technical worker and the service sector.

In the grand scale, 60,000 workers is not that many. Chip manufacturers are one small piece of the massive industrial manufacturing complex in China. It would take a lot more companies employing robotics before it starts to have a significant impact on the Chinese economy.
 
#11 ·
Say goodbye to money.
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Valor958 View Post

First Foxconn is employing underage workers, now newborns! These robots needed a chance to experience the world before being thrown into those sweatshops... Metal Lives Matter!
Relax,they can just incorporate those experiences into the AI.
wink.gif
 
#17 ·
As someone who works around robotic cells in a welding environment, the upkeep on these things is ridiculous. They are going to spend more money on techs and skilled maintenance, then if they just had people. That or they will break even regularly. They aren't going to save much from this, except foot traffic and needs for janitors in bathrooms and lunchrooms.
 
#19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheLAWNOOB View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by ToTheSun! View Post

That's a lot of people.
No, it's not.
I'm sorry. I live in Portugal. I don't know what "lots of people" really means.
redface.gif
 
#20 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by SwishaMane View Post

As someone who works around robotic cells in a welding environment, the upkeep on these things is ridiculous. They are going to spend more money on techs and skilled maintenance, then if they just had people. That or they will break even regularly. They aren't going to save much from this, except foot traffic and needs for janitors in bathrooms and lunchrooms.
I think it is mostly about PR. They don't want to lose their contracts with Apple over working conditions. Solution, just get rid of them.
 
#21 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mothergoose729 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by SwishaMane View Post

As someone who works around robotic cells in a welding environment, the upkeep on these things is ridiculous. They are going to spend more money on techs and skilled maintenance, then if they just had people. That or they will break even regularly. They aren't going to save much from this, except foot traffic and needs for janitors in bathrooms and lunchrooms.
I think it is mostly about PR. They don't want to lose their contracts with Apple over working conditions. Solution, just get rid of them.
You think Apple care? The only thing they care about is their bonus.
 
#23 ·
ooohhhh, wonder if we see the people of china perform the economic revolution we here in the US should have done a long time ago.
 
#24 ·
And the working poor class just became the starving poor class.

America should get ahead of this, and bring automated manufacturing back home. We can compete when there's no minimum wage, workers rights, infrastructure, lawsuits and liabilities, human resources, gender-identified sewage drop boxes, and everything else we have going on.

Then we can go full-socialist like everyone wants, and possibly make it work without seeking situations where underprivileged people can be exploited by their government's failures, neglect, military inferiority, exploitation, and general misfortune on the international stage.
 
#26 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Liranan View Post

You think Apple care? The only thing they care about is their bonus.
Brand perception is important to every business, especially for a company like Apple. Regardless of whether or not the board execs "feel it in their heart", they all appreciate that it has an effect on the bottom line. No company wants to be associated with with the problem's Foxconn was having a few years ago. When the story was getting press, Apple's name was mentioned in almost every sound bite. It matters a great deal to them.

Regardless, Foxconn has their own brand name to protect. Nobody wants to partner with a company that has that kind of reputation.
 
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