{
  "id": 6465893,
  "title": "The hinge for Apple’s new foldable phone was built with AI",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/the-hinge-for-apples-new-foldable-phone-was-built-with-ai",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-09T19:21:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechCrunch",
    "slug": "techcrunch",
    "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/09/the-hinge-for-apples-new-foldable-phone-was-built-with-ai/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Apple's upcoming foldable phone, the Duo, features a hinge that was designed and manufactured using artificial intelligence and 3D printing technology. This innovative approach marks Apple's entry into the foldable phone market, a sector that has garnered considerable consumer interest but often falls short of expectations due to durability issues. Given that foldables endure twice the wear compared to conventional smartphones, Apple has implemented several protective measures to enhance the durability of the Duo. Johny Srouji, Apple's chief hardware officer, revealed that AI algorithms are employed during the manufacturing process to ensure precise alignment between each hinge and its corresponding housing. Additionally, a confocal laser scans the geometry of every unit, while 3D printing creates up to 25 micro layers of a custom photopolymer to minimize residual waviness. Srouji also disclosed that the Duo boasts a custom nano-texture finish to minimize glare and reflections, and a multi-layer lamination strategy aimed at boosting the device's durability. However, the long-term effectiveness of these protective features remains to be determined.",
  "summary": "Apple says it used AI and 3D printing in the manufacturing process for its long-awaited foldable phone.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}