Meet Daisy, Apple's newest iPhone-recycling robot

Edward C. Baig | USA TODAY

Apple’s latest “disassembly” robot can take apart 200 iPhones an hour, letting Apple recover materials it says that traditional recyclers cannot. This new robot, Daisy, is capable of disassembling any of nine iPhone models, from end-of-life iPhone 5s to the iPhone 7 Plus.

The Cupertino, Calif. company announced Daisy as part of its environmental initiatives ahead of Earth Day Sunday.

Daisy incorporates technology and some recycled parts from Apple’s previous disassembly robot Liam, which launched in 2016 and was created after years of R&D.

The first Daisy robot is now in operation out of Austin; a second robot will be put to use in the Netherlands. Apple is working on a patent for the robot, which it hopes to expand and invest in.

Daisy disassembles and retrieves an iPhone's main logic board, speaker, and rear camera, among other components that contain high quality materials.

Apple separately announced that it is launching a new program called “GiveBack,” combining the company’s existing trade-up and recycling programs both inside Apple Stores and online.

Trade-in rates for consumers are the same as before. But for each Apple brand device received between now and April 30, Apple will make an undisclosed donation to an environmental group known as Conservation International. Apple says customers who trade in eligible devices will receive credit to use towards future Apple store purchases.

The company also released its 11th annual "environmental responsibility report," reaffirming Apple's commitment to green causes. The broad focus is on addressing climate change, conserving precious resources, and pioneering the use of safer materials in Apple's products and processes.

The report mentions that after the U.S. withdrew from the Paris climate agreement, Apple responded by issuing a $1 billion green bond for environmental projects, bringing the company's total to $2.5 billion. And Apple says that 100% of its global facilities--including Apple offices, retail stores, and data centers—are now powered entirely by clean energy.

Email: ebaig@usatoday.com; Follow USA TODAY Personal Tech Columnist @edbaig on Twitter