Apple to ship 1m face shields a week for medical workers
[SAN FRANCISCO] Apple has said it will soon be producing one million face shields a week for medical workers battling the coronavirus pandemic.
The tech giant had already sourced 20 million surgical masks from around the world to help address a global shortage, chief executive Tim Cook said in a video posted to Twitter on Sunday.
But the company had also designed its own transparent protective face shield and begun mass production at its factories in the US and China, he added.
"We plan to ship over one million by the end of this week," said Mr Cook.
Initial distribution would be focused on the US but the company hoped to "quickly expand distribution" to other countries, he said.
Apple joins several global firms that have modified their production lines to meet demand for protective gear, including Italian luxury brand Prada.
GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
US President Donald Trump last month issued a federal order forcing auto giant General Motors to manufacture ventilators after a shortage of the hospital equipment, which is crucial for treating critical Covid-19 cases.
AFP
KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Technology
Brokers’ take: DBS cuts Venture Corp price target after Q1 earnings miss
Garmin’s Q1 results beat on strong demand for fitness, auto products
Foxconn’s musical chairs sound like punk rock
US sets up board to advise on safe, secure use of AI
Regulate AI? How US, EU and China are going about It
Meta’s results are best viewed through rose-tinted AI glasses