Philip Houska Apple has never hidden its positive attitude towards the environment. This proves how recent issuing green bonds worth one and a half billion dollars, as well as the "Reuse and Recycle" program dealing with the recycling and reuse of products, which involves - unseen until March 21 - a dismantling robot made by a California company with the mission of changing the world to greener values.
"Meet Liam" - This is how Apple introduced its robotic assistant at Monday's keynote, which is programmed to thoroughly disassemble every used iPhone almost to its original state, ensuring that all parts are recycled as best as possible according to strict guidelines.
Liam is certainly no small thing, but a massive, glass-hidden behemoth with 29 separate robotic arms and a horizontal assembly line, which was assembled by a specially hired team of engineers and placed in specifically defined spaces in a storage room. Until now, it has been kept under the veil of secrecy. This is also proven by the fact that only a handful of Apple employees knew about him. Only now has Apple shown it to the public and directly to the warehouse let go Samantha Kelly z Mashable.
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Just as the Terminator or VALL-I had their mission, so does Liam. Its key duty is to prevent the spreading danger of electronic waste, where used batteries play a major role, which can cause irreversible environmental problems, especially in developing countries, where this waste often settles.
Liam has predetermined tasks that he must follow without fail. First on his agenda is the thorough disassembly of used iPhones and the separation of components (SIM card frames, screws, batteries, camera lenses) so that they can be recycled as easily as possible. Another essential part of his work is paying 100% attention to ensure that specific component materials (nickel, aluminum, copper, cobalt, tungsten) do not mix with each other, as they can be sold to other parties who will reuse them instead of polluting the soil .
The job content of a capable robot is usually the same. After several iPhones are placed on the belt (up to around 40 pieces), he begins his work with the help of drills, screwdrivers and suction holders placed on the robotic hands. Everything starts by removing the displays, which is followed by removing the battery. Partially disassembled iPhones continue to travel along the belt, and individual components made of different materials are specially sorted (SIM card frames into small buckets, screws into tubes).
Liam is monitored by the system all this time and in case of any disruption to the flow, the problem is reported. It should be mentioned that Liam is not the only child in this robotic family. His brothers of the same name help each other in certain areas, cooperate and facilitate the dismantling work. If there is a problem with one robot, the other will replace it. All this without any delays. His (or their) work ends after an average of eleven seconds, which makes 350 iPhones per hour. If we want on a wider scale, then 1,2 million pieces per year. It should be added that the whole process can be even faster in the course of a few years, as this recycling robotic venture is still in development.
Despite the remarkable things that this likable robot does, it is far from the finish line in the comprehensive fulfillment of its mission. So far, it can only reliably disassemble and recycle iPhone 6S, but it is expected to soon be gifted with enhanced capabilities and will take care of all iOS devices as well as iPods. Liam still has a long run ahead of him, which could take him to our continent in the near future. Apple is convinced that such an initiative can mean huge progress. Liam and other recycling programs from this company are supposed to be what change the way we look at the environment. At least from a technological point of view.
"a handful of Apple workers" - Czech on its knees