Apple unveils new iPhone disassembly robot Daisy, donating to Conservation International for each recycled or traded-in device [Video]

Zac Hall | Apr 19 2018 - 10:00 am PT

It’s been two years since Apple introduced us to its iPhone disassembly robot Liam, and now it’s time to meet the company’s newest bot: Daisy. Apple says Daisy — who you can see in action below — offers “the most efficient way to reclaim more of the valuable materials stored in iPhone” with the robot capable of disassembling and sorting parts from up to 200 iPhones per hour.

Daisy’s introduction is accompanied with Apple adding Earth Day donations through its GiveBack program to the non-profit Conservation International. Apple’s GiveBack program lets customers return old devices to Apple Stores or Apple.com for recycling, and newer devices can even be traded in for Apple Store credit.

Apple says its new iPhone recycler Daisy is actually based on Liam technology (and parts) and can take apart nine different iPhone models:

Apple’s newest disassembly robot, Daisy, is the most efficient way to reclaim more of the valuable materials stored in iPhone. Created through years of R&D, Daisy incorporates revolutionary technology based on Apple’s learnings from Liam, its first disassembly robot launched in 2016.

Daisy is made from some of Liam’s parts and is capable of disassembling nine versions of iPhone and sorting their high-quality components for recycling. Daisy can take apart up to 200 iPhone devices per hour, removing and sorting components, so that Apple can recover materials that traditional recyclers can’t — and at a higher quality.

Austin-based 512Tech has more details about Apple’s new robot:

Daisy, the culmination of five years of research, is a descendant of Liam, which was introduced in March 2016. Liam was three times bigger, about 100 feet long, with 29 robots instead of five. Robots of Liam have been re-purposed for Daisy, which you could view as a sort of auto-cannibalism, or in keeping with the disassembly’s mission of re-use and recycling.

The Daisy project, housed in a secret Austin Apple distribution center, is the only machine of its kind in the world. A second Daisy will go online sometime soon in Breda, Netherlands.

[…]

Jackson said that the plan is to bring Daisy online in about 10 locations over the next year, particularly in places where iPhones come and go, Apple’s large distribution centers.

You can see Daisy at work taking apart iPhones and sorting out parts below:

Apple’s GiveBack program to help customers return or trade-in unused Apple devices to Apple.com or Apple Stores is available everyday, and Apple is promoting the initiative for Earth Day with a donation to Conservation International for every device that the Apple GiveBack receives between now and April 30.

“At Apple, we’re constantly working toward smart solutions to address climate change and conserve our planet’s precious resources,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. “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.”