Sony Introduces Fully Unstaffed Production Line At Malaysian TV-Making Factory

Sony has deployed its first fully unmanned production line at a TV-making factory outside Kuala Lumpur and plans to expand automation to other lines there too.

According to Nikkei Asia, the electronics giant is embracing this kind of technology to better compete with its South Korean and Chinese competitors. Indeed, the automation move is projected to cut production costs at the factory by 70% from fiscal 2018 levels by fiscal 2023.

The company is employing off-the-shelf robots, but is internally developing key elements such as control programming. It described full automation as challenging due to processes that involve parts that are difficult for robots to handle.

Unsurprisingly, with the shift to automation, Sony will gradually reduce the factory’s workforce of thousands, opting not to renew their limited-term contracts. The company also plans to automate audio equipment production at the KL factory after shutting its main audio equipment factory in Penang by September.

Once the automation technology is firmly rooted at the KL plant, the electronics giant will consider employing it at other factories as well. It’s extraordinarily timely considering the havoc COVID-19 has unleashed on global manufacturing. For example, Foxconn factories in India and Vietnam have recently seen work disruptions because of the pandemic.

On the flip side, automation does generally mean fewer jobs in the medium- to long-term, bringing with it economic, political, and social problems. Indeed, the loss of manufacturing jobs in the US (mainly due to technology) has caused considerable anger and resentment.

Hyundai Showcases A Fully Modernised Version Of Its 1975 Pony Hatchback

Hyundai has recently unveiled the Heritage Series Pony, a reconstruction of its 1975 hatchback which now features a variety of modern tech such as camera-based mirrors, touch controls, and more. It’s also worth noting that the original car, which celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2020, is the car maker‘s first ever mass-produced and exported vehicle – a historic first for South Korea as well.

The reimagined Pony mostly retains the original model’s design, which was conceived by legendary automobile designer Giorgetto Giugiaro – who also designed several iconic cars such as the 1967 Maserati Ghibli and 1981 DMC DeLorean. Newly introduced to the car’s exterior are the aforementioned fender-mounted camera-based mirrors, as well as pixelated front, rear and signal lights – similar to those featured on Hyundai’s IONIQ 5. Needless to say, this variant of the vehicle would look pretty much at home in any 70/80s sci-fi movie.

The interior of the car is where things get funkier. Its dashboard features a striking instrument panel which uses Nixie tubes to display information such as battery percentage and top speed, while its steering wheel features voice activation capabilities. Other than that, it also comes with a digital touch transmission, cradle space for mobile phones, and modern lighting system on its doors. Meanwhile, stored within a stainless steel case in its rear boot space is Hyundai’s last-mile mobility device (basically, a fancier name for an electric scooter).

The other noticeable difference on the Heritage Series Pony is the lack of a rear exhaust pipe, therefore confirming it to be an all-electric vehicle. However, Hyundai did not detail any information regarding the car’s onboard powertrain or its expected performance.

But that’s to be expected of a showcase vehicle.

Yes, you read that right. This variant of the 1975 car is actually just a semi-functional concept that is placed on display as part of the company’s “Reflections in Motion” exhibition. And it’s not for sale either, so those who are considering acquiring this retro-futuristic vehicle certainly have their hopes dashed.

The Heritage Series Pony is currently being exhibited at the recently opened Hyundai Motorstudio in Busan, South Korea from 8 April to 27 June.