Panasonic is pioneering a new approach to product design, using AI-controlled robots to systematically dismantle its appliances – washing machines, dryers, and even microwaves – in order to optimize future manufacturing for easier repair, reuse, and recycling. This isn’t about automation building products faster; it’s about robots breaking them down to inform better design.
The Circular Economy in Action
The initiative, showcased at CES 2026, is a direct response to the growing demand for a circular economy, where materials are kept in use for as long as possible. According to Andrea Murphy, Panasonic’s director of environmental affairs, “Recycling is not as good as reuse or remanufacture.” The company aims to reduce its reliance on new raw materials and minimize its environmental impact.
How It Works: Robots as Design Consultants
Instead of human engineers reverse-engineering products, Panasonic has trained robots to perform disassembly tasks. These robots, equipped with tools like magnetic arms, methodically take apart appliances, identifying design flaws that hinder easy breakdown. The AI models controlling the robots then feed this data back to designers, who can adjust future products for better disassembly.
This includes:
– Identifying awkwardly placed screws or connectors
– Optimizing components for easier removal
– Improving repair access for frequently failing parts (like heat pumps in washer-dryer combos)
Simulation and Predictive Design
The AI isn’t just reactive; it’s also predictive. Designers use simulations to test how changes to a product will affect its disassembly. This eliminates guesswork and ensures that design modifications don’t create new problems. As Panasonic design engineer Michael Shadovitz explains, “It’s hard for a designer to actually calculate all the different scenarios… so we’re trying to use this technology… to help design with the disassembly process in mind.”
Beyond Repair: A Shift in Design Philosophy
This isn’t just about making repairs easier. It’s about fundamentally changing how products are conceived. Shadovitz admits he began questioning where his creations ended up after their useful life, leading to a broader shift in thinking: “Could better design mean fewer old microwaves and washers winding up in landfills?”
By meticulously deconstructing existing products, Panasonic can ensure that future appliances are built to be disassembled – not as an afterthought, but as an integral part of the design process. This approach promises longer-lasting equipment, more efficient reuse of components, and a reduced environmental footprint.
Panasonic’s strategy highlights the growing trend of manufacturers prioritizing sustainability through design. By leveraging AI and robotics, the company is not only optimizing its products for disassembly but also setting a precedent for a more responsible and circular manufacturing model.
