Apple’s newest disassembly robot, Daisy, is the most efficient way to reclaim more of the valuable materials stored in iPhone. Created through years of R&D, Daisy incorporates revolutionary technology based on Apple’s learnings from Liam, its first disassembly robot launched in 2016. Daisy is made from some of Liam’s parts and is capable of disassembling nine versions of iPhone and sorting their high-quality components for recycling.
I’m always fascinated by assembly lines and this “disassembly line” is just as interesting.
This is one kind of job that is well suited for robot automation: repetitive, high volume, need for speed, can and should be running 24/7, etc.
Human workers could get jaded and “burned out” easily with such a task. They could also commonly “cheat” and not scrupulously glean valuable components and materials.
Things like this is why I think the “Right to repair” movement may be misguided. They claim repairing is more environmentally sound, but what does the average repair person do with the broken parts they replace? I know what I’ve seen – they go straight in the garbage. Some will take broken materials to a proper recycling facility but not many.
Apple is in a position to recycle at larger scale making it more efficient, enough that allowing Apple to require repair by them (or authorized repair facilities) seems to be the better option.
Good point!