Google, Foxconn partner up to create robotic workforce for factories

Taiwanese hardware maker Foxconn and Google have partnered up so they can work on technologies to improve robotic automation efforts to benefit both companies. Beyond autonomous vehicles, Google's exact plans for its growing collection of robotic-related research remain unknown.

In 2013 alone, Google purchased eight robotics companies and created a robotics research group - and Google reportedly has a large interest in electronics assembly, trying to compete with traditional retail powerhouses.

Foxconn is a company familiar with robotics development, as the company reportedly uses robots in its own manufacturing facilities overseas. With raising labor costs in China, Foxconn has been able to reduce its manned workforce and use robotic technology to help keep its narrow margins intact, with automated processes greatly helpful.

There is great potential for Foxconn and Google to help each other, as Google can send much-needed funds and research to Foxconn, which can provide robotics hardware and mature technologies.