While robots have already been taking human jobs in many industries such as car manufacturing, as they become increasingly sophisticated there are growing fears they will put more employees at risk.

Now a major electronics company that supplies Apple and Samsung has announced it is to replace 60,000 staff with robots.

Foxconn, the Taiwanese company which assembles iPhones and iPads, has brought in machines to perform repetitive tasks and axed more than half its 110,000-strong workforce at a factory in Southern China.

Foxconn, the Taiwanese company (HQ pictured) which assembles iPhones and iPads, has brought in machines to perform repetitive tasks and axed more than half its 110,000-strong staff at a factory in Southern China

In a statement the company said: 'We are applying robotics engineering and other innovative manufacturing technologies to replace repetitive tasks previously done by employees.'

WILL ROBOTS TAKE YOUR JOB? As robots increasingly make their way into the workforce, some have argued that they will soon be taking over many traditionally human jobs. In an interview with Fox Business, former McDonalds USA CEO Ed Rensi argued that the $15/hour minimum wage raise will bring 'job loss like you can't believe.' He argued it would be cheaper for companies to instead purchase robotic devices. Advertisement

The company said the move will free up employees to perform more complicated tasks and that it intends to maintain a significant workforce in China.

Foxconn has been working toward replacing workers with robots for a while now, in an attempt to save money and increase profits.

More companies could soon follow is example, with up to 600 firms in Kunshan in Jiangsu province, the manufacturing hub where the factory is based, reporting similar plans in a government survey, according to South China Morning Post.

The job cuts are not good news for Kunshan, which had a population of more than 2.5 million at the end of 2014, two-thirds of whom were migrant workers.

And it is a trend that could soon become a problem around the world.

In a statement the company said: 'We are applying robotics engineering and other innovative manufacturing technologies to replace repetitive tasks previously done by employees.' Workers in a Foxconn factory pictured

Taiwanese Foxconn assembles Apple products like the iPhone (pictured) and iPad. Foxconn has been working toward replacing workers with robots for a while now, in an attempt to save money and increase profits

FIVE JOBS AT RISK FROM ROBOTS According to recent studies, certain jobs are already at risk of being replaced by automated workers. Accountants are 99 per cent likely to lose their jobs to machines. Umpires and referees have a 98.3 per cent chance of being automated. Waiters and waitress are 93.7 per cent likely to be replaced by machines. Legal assistants and paralegals have a 94.5 per cent chance of being automated. Fashion models are 97.6 per cent likely to lose the lime light because of robots. Advertisement

In an interview with Fox Business, former McDonalds US CEO Ed Rensi argued the $15 (£10)/hour minimum wage raise will bring 'job loss like you can't believe.'

He argued it would be cheaper for companies to instead purchase robotic devices.

This comes a week after Microsoft announced the sale of its feature phone business to a new Finnish company HMD Global and its Taiwanese partner, FIH Mobile of Foxconn Technology Group, which will jointly begin manufacturing handsets and tablets under the Nokia brand again.

Microsoft also announced this week it will let go up to 1,850 employees .

Microsoft's chief shop steward in Finland, Kalle Kiili, said he decision means Microsoft will no longer design or manufacture phones.

Kiili said Microsoft 'will not be manufacturing (phone) devices, at least for the time being. It will do software, however.'

The company said the move will free up employees to perform more complicated tasks and that it intends to maintain a significant workforce in China. Foxconn has been working toward replacing workers with robots for a while now, in an attempt to save money and increase profits. CEO Terry Gou shown

The Bionic Bar, pictured, could replace bartenders. It is powered by roboticists at Makr Shakr. Customers order cocktails, from either a set a menu or by designing their own concoction, and the order is sent to a pair of single-armed robots attached to a makeshift 'bar'

MEET PIZZA HUT'S LATEST EMPLOYEE, PEPPER THE ROBOT Humanoid robot 'Pepper' will soon be taking orders in Pizza Hut locations across Asia. MasterCard announced this week that it is teaming up with SoftBanks Robotics and Pizza Hut Asia to launch a new commerce app for the customer service bot. Pepper will be able to make recommendations and complete transactions, and is expected to begin employment by the end of this year. The app is powered by the MasterCard payment service MasterPass. Users with MasterPass will be able to pair their accounts with Pepper to place an order. This is done by tapping the Pepper icon in the digital 'wallet,' or scanning a code on the robot's tablet. Once paired, Pepper can explain the menu, make personalized recommendations, and take your order. And if you want to know how many calories are in your meal, Pepper will tell you the answer, along with a breakdown of the fat, carbs, and protein in that particular item. Humanoid robot 'Pepper' will soon be taking orders in Pizza Huts in Asia. MasterCard announced this week it is teaming up with SoftBanks Robotics and Pizza Hut Asia to launch a new commerce app for the bot. Pepper will make recommendations and complete transactions, and will begin working by the end of this year Advertisement