Foxconn to mass produce robots

Controversial Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn has announced plans to mass produce industrial robots as part of its efforts to cope with labour shortages and rising wages.

The project, which is initially forecast to cost the Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision Industry Tw$6.7-billion (US$223-million), was unveiled Saturday when Terry Gou, chairman of the conglomerate, broke ground for the construction of a research and development unit in Taichung, central Taiwan.

“The investment marks the beginning of Hon Hai’s bid to build an empire of robots,” the Central Taiwan Science Park authorities said in a statement.

Foxconn plans to make the investment through Hon Hai’s subsidiary Foxnum, a company which focuses on the manufacturing of automation facilities and equipment, it said.

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