In Dongguan City, located in the central Guangdong province of China, a technology company has set up a factory run almost exclusively by robots, and the results are fascinating.
The Changying Precision Technology Company factory in Dongguan has automated production lines that use robotic arms to produce parts for cell phones. The factory also has automated machining equipment, autonomous transport trucks, and other automated equipment in the warehouse.
There are still people working at the factory, though. Three workers check and monitor each production line and there are other employees who monitor a computer control system. Previously, there were 650 employees at the factory. With the new robots, there's now only 60. Luo Weiqiang, general manager of the company, told the People's Daily that the number of employees could drop to 20 in the future.
The robots have produced almost three times as many pieces as were produced before. According to the People's Daily, production per person has increased from 8,000 pieces to 21,000 pieces. That's a 162.5% increase.
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The growth of robotics in the area's factories comes amidst a particularly harsh climate around factory worker conditions, highlighted by strikes in the area. One can only wonder whether automation will add fuel to the fire or quell some of the unrest.
Is eliminating the work force the best way to solve labor unrest?
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 03 2015, @02:32PM
Even a replica of the original structures has not been made or used. I'm sure that during the last 80 years someone would have developed a furnace on similar principles if it really was real, but no. It only ever existed on paper, where it will always remain.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 03 2015, @03:35PM
Maybe the need for replicating it didn't arise?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 03 2015, @08:00PM
I'm sure that during the last 80 years someone would have developed a furnace on similar principles if it really was real, but no.
Probably because the general public and law enforcement frown at the idea of heating your home with people.