Apple requires automation in its factories: Are iPhone and Mac soon to be 100% robotized?
According to a report from DigiTimes, Apple is accelerating the integration of robotics and automation in its supply chain.
The California giant now requires that automation becomes a mandatory criterion for securing manufacturing contracts, covering all its products: iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.
A Strategic Shift in Apple’s Production
Until now, Apple often funded the machines and tools for its partners to ensure production quality. Going forward, the Cupertino-based company is asking its suppliers to finance their own investments in robotics and automation.
The goals are threefold:
- Reduce reliance on human labor,
- Ensure consistent quality across factories worldwide,
- Better control costs in an uncertain economic landscape.
High Costs for Suppliers
While automation can enhance product consistency and mitigate risks related to labor shortages or geopolitical tensions, it also entails a massive investment.
Many of the brand’s partners have reportedly seen their profits affected by the introduction of industrial robots and automated systems. Some have even experienced production disruptions during the transition.
Apple’s Ongoing Environmental Goals
In parallel, Apple continues to support its partners in another area: ecological transition. Its aim is to achieve a 100% carbon-neutral supply chain by 2030. To this end, it provides financial support for energy-efficient equipment and sustainable materials.
Thus, while Apple enforces automation, it does not completely abandon its suppliers regarding environmental responsibility.
More Reliability, But at What Cost?
By pushing for automation, Apple aims to make its products more reliable, consistent, and resilient to global fluctuations. However, by placing the entire financial burden on its suppliers, the company risks facing criticism.
For consumers, an iPhone built by robots could mean fewer defects and greater uniformity. Yet, from an industrial perspective, this strategy may exacerbate financial pressure on partners, while Apple remains one of the wealthiest companies in the world.
