By Cian Maher, Sunday, July 5, 2020 5:24 PM GMT
In a nearly fully automated factory in Tokyo Bay, robots can build a functional PS4 in approximately 30 seconds.
“On the outskirts of Kisarazu, a large white building towers above a suburban landscape,” read a report by the Nikkei Asian Review. “Once inside, visitors are greeted by the hum of the engines as dozens of robots seamlessly produce the PlayStation 4 consoles.”
Only four workers are present at the factory: two feed the motherboards to the assembly line, while two others handle the packaging. Almost everything else is fully automated.
According to the report, Sony robots take about 30 seconds to build a functional PS4. Workers reinforce the process on both sides: two instigate the construction of the console, while two others wrap it around and make it look elegant after the fact.
“One of the main achievements of the plant is the use of robots to attach cables, tapes and other flexible parts to the consoles,” the report read. “Twenty-six of the 32 robots at the Kisarazu plant are dedicated to the task, deftly handling the materials that most robots would find too delicate.”
It is currently unclear whether or not this manufacturing method will translate to PS5, but competition from robots as evidenced by the quote above implies that it might be likely. Regardless, Sony has announced that it is “still investing heavily” on PS4, so the robots will not be out of work yet.
In related news, Sony recently announced nine PS4 and PS5 games as part of a new independent initiative. According to Epic Games’ vice president of engineering, the PS5 is a “masterpiece of system design.” Apparently, the PS5 user interface will even be able to help trapped players by showing them the game from other people who managed to get past the part they are currently playing.
Sony also filed a patent for a device that looks a bit like Xbox Snap.
