By Jean-Jacques DeLisle, contributing writer
On Earth Day 2018, Apple unveiled its new robot named “Daisy,” which is capable of dismantling up to 200 iPhones an hour and extracting important components from them that traditional recycling systems can’t. The machine represents Apple’s dedication to recycling and reducing its environmental impact. This is not the first time that Apple has done something to save the environment. A previous robot known as “Liam” was created two years ago for the same purpose but was much less efficient: It could only dismantle 1.2 million iPhones per year, whereas Daisy can dismantle up to 1.75 million devices in the same amount of time.
Daisy and her predecessor, Liam, both represent a change in direction from typical robotics that tend to focus on manufacturing rather than disassembling and recycling. It shows a shift in focus from production at all costs to a sustainable business model in which old devices are recycled and their materials re-purposed to create new tech. The move makes sense if you consider the rate at which technology advances and devices become obsolete.
Image source: Apple.
Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, said of the project, “At Apple, we’re constantly working toward smart solutions to address climate change and conserve our planet’s precious resources. In recognition of Earth Day, we are making it as simple as possible for our customers to recycle devices and do something good for the planet through Apple GiveBack. We’re also thrilled to introduce Daisy to the world, as she represents what’s possible when innovation and conservation meet.”
Both Daisy and Apple GiveBack are programs designed to help the environment. From the start of the project through April 30, for every device donated to be recycled, Apple announced that they would make a donation to non-profit Conservation International. People who still donate eligible devices after April 30 will receive a credit that can be spent in the Apple store. All of this comes in the wake of Apple’s announcement that its global facilities are now powered with 100% clean energy, a huge step forward for the company as a leader in technology. This amazing achievement includes retail stores, offices, data centers, and co-located facilities in 43 different countries across the globe. The tech-giant company also announced nine additional manufacturing partners who have all committed to powering their Apple production with 100% clean energy. This brings the total number of suppliers committed to green energy to 23.
It’s refreshing to see a big company like Apple giving something back to the environment. Hopefully, with its leadership, we can see many other large companies making the leap to renewable energy. Robots such as Daisy show us that these innovative machines are not only capable of manufacturing new tech but can also aid us in cleaning the environment — making the world a better, more green place for everyone.
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