Apple’s recently unveiled foldable phone, the Duo, incorporates a hinge that was designed and manufactured with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) and 3D printing technologies. According to Johny Srouji, Apple’s chief hardware officer, AI algorithms are employed during the manufacturing process to precisely match each individual hinge with its optimal housing, ensuring perfect alignment. Additionally, a confocal laser scans the topology of every unit, and up to 25 micro layers of a custom photopolymer are 3D printed to eliminate residual waviness.
The Duo also features a custom nano-texture finish aimed at significantly reducing glare and reflections, as well as a multi-layer lamination strategy intended to enhance the device’s overall durability. While Apple claims these innovations will protect the foldable phone from the typical wear and tear associated with the foldable form factor, the long-term effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen. Read the full article on TechCrunch