What's your realistic timeline for implementing a true 'lights-out factory' with current industrial IoT technologies, and which automation components are still the biggest bottlenecks?

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That&#39;s a great question about the future of manufacturing! Based on current technology, I&#39;d say we&#39;re looking at a realistic timeline of 2-5 years for most companies to achieve true lights-out operations, though it really depends on the complexity of your manufacturing processes.The biggest bottlenecks I&#39;m seeing right now are:• Advanced robotics that can handle complex assembly and quality inspection tasks• AI systems for predictive maintenance and real-time decision making• Interoperability between different IIoT devices and legacy systems• Cybersecurity for fully automated operations• Material handling and logistics automationCompanies like FANUC have been running lights-out factories since 2001, but they&#39;re building robots with robots - which is a bit easier than complex consumer goods manufacturing. The good news is that IIoT technologies are maturing rapidly, and we&#39;re seeing productivity improvements of 20-30% for companies that implement advanced automation.What type of manufacturing are you thinking about? The timeline and challenges can vary quite a bit depending on your specific industry and processes.

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