Apple’s manufacturing facilities in Austin, Texas are a crucial part of the company’s bid to expand manufacturing operations in the U.S. The 400,000 square foot facility is responsible for building the Mac Pro desktop and employs around 900 workers. The presence of the facility in Austin has helped to transform the city into a hub for tech innovation, thanks to the nearby University of Texas at Austin, which provides a large talent pool for Apple.
The company’s commitment to expanding its manufacturing capabilities is evident in its construction of a new $1 billion campus in Austin, which began in 2019. The campus is set to rival the size of Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, covering 133 acres.
One of the key goals for Apple is to make its supply chain process carbon neutral by 2030. To achieve this, the company has implemented various initiatives, including a recycling program for its devices. Robotics plays a crucial role in this effort, with the introduction of robots like Liam and Daisy to automate the sorting and disassembly of devices.
Liam, Apple’s first recycling robot, was introduced in 2016 and was designed to separate components on discarded iPhone 5s. However, Liam’s process was slow and not scalable. In 2019, Apple introduced Daisy, an improved version of the recycling robot. Daisy is capable of handling multiple iPhone models and has significantly reduced the time it takes to disassemble a device.
Daisy consists of four chambers, each with a specific function in the disassembly process. The robot uses imaging and machine learning to identify the model type and handles the device accordingly. Daisy’s throughput has improved over time, but it still has a long way to go to keep up with the millions of devices discarded each year.
Apple sees Daisy as an ambassador for its recycling efforts and is continually working to improve its efficiency. The company is also open to sharing its robotics technology with other companies to help increase the overall impact of recycling robots.
Despite the advancements in recycling technology, there are still challenges to overcome, including the lack of education and initiative around electronics recycling. Many people still keep old devices or throw them away rather than recycling them. Apple is striving to improve customer engagement and find effective ways to communicate the importance of recycling.
Looking to the future, Apple plans to adapt its recycling systems to handle a wider range of products, such as MacBooks and iPads. The company is also exploring the world of home robots, leveraging its expertise in robotics and automation.
Overall, Apple’s commitment to sustainability and its use of robotics in its recycling efforts demonstrate the company’s dedication to reducing its environmental impact and creating a more circular economy.