|
|
![]() ![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
|
Captain Kick Ass
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Kansas
Casino cash: $15297
|
1 MILLION ROBOTS TO REPLACE 1 MILLION HUMAN JOBS AT FOXCONN? FIRST ROBOTS HAVE ARRIVE
How are we supposed to bring back manufacturing jobs with the advances in robotics?
http://singularityhub.com/2012/11/12...-have-arrived/ Foxconn, the Chinese electronics manufacturer that builds numerous mobile devices and gaming consoles, has been in the media lately because of labor issues, complaints over working conditions, rumored riots, and even suicides, all occurring in the past few years as demand for smartphones and tablets is skyrocketing. While consumers began to complain in response to media coverage over working conditions, prompting Apple to hire an audit of the factories, Foxconn’s President Terry Gou had another idea for dealing with labor concerns: replace people with robots. In fact, last year Gou said that the company would be aiming to replace 1 million Foxconn workers with robots within 3 years. It appears as if Gou has started the ball in motion. Since the announcement, a first batch of 10,000 robots — aptly named Foxbots — appear to have made its way into at least one factory, and by the end of 2012, another 20,000 more will be installed. Though little is really known about these new bots, the rate of robot installation thus far is much lower than Gou’s original claim; however, the evidence suggests that it is difficult to know exactly what is going on in the factories and what is coming down the pipe. On top of that, these robots are manufactured in house, meaning that little information about them needs to be shared with the outside world in marketing reports, for example. The FoxBots that have been installed apparently are designed for simple, yet precise repetitive actions common for simple manufacturing robots (lifting, selecting, placement). When it comes to automated factories, robots that can perform these tasks aren’t really anything new. But one look at the photo of the robot and it’s clear this isn’t just a simple machine, but a similar type of robotic arm to those used in assembly lines of automotive manufacturers. That means more sophistication might be possible with these bots alone or in tandem. As part of the investigation into conditions inside the factory, a few camera crews have been given access. As we reported back in April, you can see for yourself what conditions appear to be like: According to a translated page from the Chinese site Techweb, each robot costs between $20,000 to $25,000, which is over three times the average salary of one worker. However, amid international pressure, Foxconn continues to increase worker salaries with a 25 percent bump occurring earlier this year. It’s worth noting that you can see automation is already part of the manufacturing process at Foxconn, but the new Foxbots are aimed to not merely complement factor workers, but replace them. As the world’s largest manufacturer of electronics, this move wouldn’t be happening unless the robots were ultimately cheaper than human beings. If Foxconn ramps up the robot rollout, it’ll be interesting to see what the worldwide response is. While there are those who worry that the rise of robots will bring about the end of work as we know it, others see the Foxconn working conditions as violating human rights, and therefore, might welcome robotic replacements, if it means that conditions for the remaining human workforce could improve. Because Foxconn employs 1.2 million workers, robot replacements both solve worker problems and create them. It should come as no surprise then that many manufacturers are watching the situation at the company closely. It would be too easy to criticize Foxconn for a move like this, but the company is not alone – Canon reportedly aims to do the same thing. An important statistic from the International Federation of Robotics is that the number of operational robots in China increased by 42 percent from 2010 to 2011 (close to 75,000 robots), an unprecedented growth in the 50-year history of robots. At that rate of adoption, it would be 2019 before there were 1 million robots in all of China, but odds are that the use of robots is only going to increase as the pendulum that led to the economic boom in China swings back in the other direction. In the end, we all know that the future of manufacturing is all about robots. It’s a question now of how fast the transition will occur and whether governments, businesses, and organizations will be able to adjust with the shifting workforce and economies. During this time of flux, many are looking for leaders to take the lead. Whether Foxconn proves it can correct its current problems with robots or digs an even deeper hole by its displacement of a large workforce will play out in the immediate future. Regardless, it means bots are here to stay. |
Posts: 5,774
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Time For Your Wake Up Call !!!
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Barn Yard
Casino cash: $2001000
|
Great Googly Moogly, Obots with robots.
![]() |
Posts: 31,024
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Seeking the Truth daily
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the Country in MO
Casino cash: $34409
|
Buy more apple stock
__________________
Frazod to KC Nitwit..."Hey, I saw a picture of some dumpy bitch with a horrible ****tarded giant back tattoo and couldn't help but think of you." Simple, Pure, Perfect. 7/31/2013 Dave Lane: "I have donated more money to people in my life as an atheist that most churches ever will." Come home to Jesus Dave. Come home. |
Posts: 41,621
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Certified Organic & Free Range
Join Date: Sep 2001
Casino cash: $24344
|
Bring that shit on.
__________________
"There is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery -- then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved." |
Posts: 50,690
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
Fantastic Planeteer
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Champaign, IL
Casino cash: $6821
|
Outside of this being used at dunkin donuts, this is rediculous.
|
Posts: 4,943
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Forever Royal
Join Date: Mar 2012
Casino cash: $1400
|
Umm...those are one in the same. Besides this isn't a revolutionary idea. Just a complex way to go about doing it. Can't wait for the devices to have all kinds of junk splattered on them and be filthy as can be.
|
Posts: 14,103
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 |
One Groovy Cat
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: The Pitt State baby
Casino cash: $27292
|
|
Posts: 32,202
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
Certified Organic & Free Range
Join Date: Sep 2001
Casino cash: $24344
|
At Applebees and Olive Garden?
__________________
"There is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery -- then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved." |
Posts: 50,690
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 | |
Akhilandeswari
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: In Partibus Infidelium
Casino cash: $37580
|
Quote:
|
|
Posts: 43,592
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 |
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2004
Casino cash: $5159
|
|
Posts: 3,785
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#25 |
Supporter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Dodge City, Kansas
Casino cash: $16716
|
No need to worry, we will magically sort this out and everyone will have better currently unidentifiable jobs, we promise (free-trader absolutists and reassuring 'entrepreneurs').
__________________
![]() "For the benefit and enjoyment of the people" -- Inscription, Roosevelt Arch, Northern Gate, Yellowstone, near Gardiner, MT |
Posts: 34,327
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#26 |
Bucs, Pats, Noles
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: None of your business
Casino cash: $70063
|
The Machines are Coming!!!
__________________
![]() “Preventive war was an invention of Hitler. I would not even listen to anyone seriously that came and talked about such a thing.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower |
Posts: 98,244
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#27 |
Gittes gets it
Join Date: Nov 2007
Casino cash: $9997
|
One team of 10 engineers using a machine that was built by humans, but has since been maintained by 2.
__________________
Main Entry: bowe·ner Pronunciation: \ˈbō-nər\ Function: noun Date: circa 2007 |
Posts: 7,399
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#28 |
Gittes gets it
Join Date: Nov 2007
Casino cash: $9997
|
This. I enjoy a good server, especially when you go to more upscale restaurants. Denny's could probably go ahead and replace their staff though.
__________________
Main Entry: bowe·ner Pronunciation: \ˈbō-nər\ Function: noun Date: circa 2007 |
Posts: 7,399
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#29 |
Resident Glue Sniffer
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: KS
Casino cash: $29458
|
well, all i'm saying is someone won't physically be there to take your order; only people to bring out the food (and for the record, 80% of the time I get my food from someone other than my waiter/waitress).
__________________
Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed |
Posts: 32,570
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#30 |
Bucs, Pats, Noles
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: None of your business
Casino cash: $70063
|
Why can't a robot bring out the food too?
__________________
![]() “Preventive war was an invention of Hitler. I would not even listen to anyone seriously that came and talked about such a thing.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower |
Posts: 98,244
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|