Foxconn and Robots

While Foxconn's increasing it's use of robots first hit my radar a short while ago, this article goes into a bit more detail:

Foxconn Stepping Up Robot Replacement for Human Workers in China

I'm starting to wonder how long it's going to be before most large scale manufacturing moves out into unpopulated, unused areas like deserts. If you don't need people then you don't need to be where people are, and where people are tends to be expensive. Infrastructure would need to be built and run, but when that can be done for less than the cost of land in populated areas then expect to see the desert "bloom".

I also wonder how long before Chinese politicians start making futile promises to bring jobs back.