China has inaugurated a revolutionary factory that can produce 10 million smartphones a year without the need for human workers. This automated manufacturing system, which operates 24 hours a day, represents a significant advance in the electronics industry, combining high-precision technology with continuous operation. The complex, inaugurated in 2024, boasts an 81% automation rate in its production lines, utilizing 97% domestically developed equipment and software. Furthermore, the integration of cloud-based artificial intelligence optimizes the manufacturing process, according to an official report.
China currently hosts more than two million industrial robots, accounting for 54% of the robots in use globally. However, this increase in production brings environmental challenges, as millions of tons of electronic waste are generated each year. To mitigate this impact, the company has implemented a plan aimed at recycling 38,000 tons of obsolete electronic devices over the next two years. Among its initiatives is the ‘Xiaomi 14T’ model, which uses recycled biomaterials from lemon waste, contributing to a circular economy model, as we previously reported in our article on electronic device recycling.
