Apple is reportedly advancing its suppliers to automation and adopt robotics in their production lines. According to a new report by Digitims, the company, which has long been favored by the use of technology in assembly plants, is now making a condition to automation before the iPhone 17 series launching before the launch.

For more than two years, Apple has allegedly encouraged suppliers to modernize their factories. However, the company is now taking things a step forward by making automation mandatory rather than alternative. So much that suppliers who fail to invest in robotics losing order for upcoming iphones, ipads, Mac and apple watches.

The mandate is called part of Apple’s comprehensive strategy to cut their dependence on human workers and deal with many challenges. The first challenge is called cost. Automation is expected to reduce long-term costs by limiting labor-intensive assembly. Second, it will help in protecting the production against future disruption such as epidemic or political stress, which has previously revealed the weaknesses of the apple. Third, automation is seen as a way to ensure stability as robotic systems can provide a similar quality regardless of being located in a factory.

However, it is now mandatory with automation, cost will be borne by suppliers. Unlike the past, when Apple often gives subsidy to its contract manufacturers often subsidized or directly funded machinery, suppliers are expected to allegedly pay the bill themselves.

This infection for robotics involves integrated upfront investment and operational disruption during the integration phase for suppliers. Some suppliers are also struggling to absorb these costs, raise concerns about profitability and competition. Despite this, Apple’s leverage as a customer is leaving very little space for conversation.

According to the report, Apple believes that this change towards automation will play an important role in its ongoing efforts to diversify production from China. By deploying uniform robotic systems beyond facilities in India, Vietnam and potentially other areas, Apple can maintain constant construction quality and scale production in a more flexible manner.

This strategy also aligns with the US push to Apple to reduce its dependence on Chinese manufacturing. Industry supervisors noted that automation, one day, can enable the limited iPhone assembly in the United States that has been a long -standing political -talking point.