While the iPad 3 will be put together by human hands, future iPad models could be assembled entirely by robots if new plans from Foxconn come to pass. The manufacturer which currently puts together most of Apple’s iPhone and iPad production runs, wants to introduce 1 million robots into its factories over the next three years.
Foxconn already has 10,000 robots in service but its founder and chairman, Terry Gou, revealed the plan to vastly increase its automated army and cut costs in a speech to workers. The new robots will take over tasks like spraying, welding and assembly which are currently done by humans. In a particularly cheery touch, Gou apparently made the announcement just before an employee dance party. Presumably no one felt like doing the robot after hearing the news.
