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Hey, that’s one way to plug those internet leaks: A new report claims Apple may make the switch to automated production lines this year for the batteries which power its mobile devices.
DigiTimes reported Monday that Apple could be readying a fully automated assembly line for production of mobile device batteries, a shift that could help eliminate some of the prying eyes from its supply chain.
Ironically, the report comes from sources within Apple’s “upstream supply chain,” who claim that other mobile vendors are likely to take a cue from Cupertino and follow suit with automated production lines.
While production of the actual materials used to create the batteries as well as final assembly will still be done by human hands, the report claims “manpower is not required” for the rest of the process.
Apple is said to have already automated production of its iMac and Mac Pro production lines, and DigiTimes cites “rising minimum wages in China” as well as an increasing trend for younger people to avoid the manufacturing industry as other reasons for the rumored change.
Automated production lines are also said to allow Apple to “move manufacturing wherever it likes,” although such a move was not expected anytime soon.
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