TAIPEI – Foxconn opened a research center this month to work on 5G telecommunications, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, according to reports.

The research center will employ some 200 staff, who will work on technology for robots, healthcare and electric vehicles. The firm said it would also focus on quantum computing.

Foxconn plans a digital upgrade for its sites in the next three to seven years.

“The establishment of this new R&D center is to help Foxconn increase technical and product competitiveness by moving away from labor-intensive and into brain-intensive,” said Cliff Kung, senior industry analyst with the Market Intelligence and Consulting Institute. The research center helps “Foxconn diversify away from traditional work.”

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