Apple's first foldable, the Duo, uses AI-designed hinge and 3D-printed layers
Apple unveiled its first foldable phone, called the Duo, revealing that its hinge mechanism was engineered using AI algorithms to match each hinge to its housing for precise alignment. The company also used confocal laser scanning and 3D-printed micro layers of photopolymer to smooth out surface irregularities, according to chief hardware officer Johny Srouji.
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Foldable phones have historically struggled with durability due to the extra mechanical stress on hinges and screens, which has limited mainstream adoption despite strong consumer interest. Apple's use of AI-driven manufacturing precision signals an attempt to solve the industry's biggest reliability problem, potentially setting a new benchmark for how foldables are engineered at scale.
- Apple's Duo foldable uses AI to match hinges precisely with their housings during manufacturing.
- 3D printing and laser scanning are used to eliminate surface waviness and improve hinge durability.
- Long-term durability of the design remains unproven despite Apple's added protective measures.
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Published there as: “The hinge for Apple’s new foldable phone was built with AI”
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