Just as the invention of steam power instigated an industrial revolution in the 18th century, digital technologies are sparking a new industrial revolution today.

While it’s tempting to imagine the future of the car assembly line as a fully automated endeavor, the reality is a little more complex.

The biggest advances in assembly line production will come less from automation and more from increased visibility into industrial processes.

Indeed, modern assembly lines are close collaborations between humans and machines, coordinated by applications not unlike those you find on your smartphone.

Modern assembly lines are filled with digital and industry 4.0 technology.
A modern assembly line with digital technology
With IIoT, big data, computer vision, and other Industry 4.0 technologies, assembly lines continue to feature some of the most advanced technology on the planet.