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Canon plans robot production

Canon plans to fully automate its lens and camera manufacturing, according to a report from The Associated Press. Although some aspects of production have been automated since the manufacture of the Canon AE-1 camera back in 1976, the new plans are a move to machine-only production. The first robot-constructed cameras could appear as soon as 2015.

The decision should mean a cost-saving for Canon and allow manufacturing to continue in Japan, rather than being outsourced to other countries. There is also potential for high quality control, as machine are not distracted by other machines.

A Canon spokesperson says that no jobs will be lost - existing staff will be moved to other types of work.

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