Foxconn to deploy over 1 million robots

Taiwan-based Foxconn, which makes parts for  Apple's iPhone and iPad, plans to make greater use of robots for manufacturing in the coming years, to allow the company make more investment in research and development and save on labour costs.

Observations to the effect came in a speech last Friday by Foxconn CEO Terry Gou, at the company's campus in Shenzhen, China. However, even as it confirmed some of the contents of the speech, the company declined to offer specifics on the level of automation Foxconn was aiming for.

According to local Chinese media, Gou had said the company plans to deploy of 1 million robots over the next three years for the completion of routine assembly tasks. The company currently uses 10,000 robots.

According to analysts, Foxconn needed to automate more of its manufacturing processes in order to make up for labour shortages and keep ahead of its competitors.

The company has a workforce more than 1 million strong, the majority of which are located at facilities in mainland China. Foxconn, one of the world's largest producers of electronics, also makes products for companies like HP, Sony and Nintendo.

The company's reputation, however, started to suffer after a string of suicides was reported last year at its factories in China. A total of 18 suicide attempts, with 14 deaths, were reported by watchdog group Students & Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior. In nearly all cases workers jumped off from company building (See: Harsh working conditions at Foxconn fuel suicidal tendencies).