Why are certain processes in auto manufacturing still not automated yet? For most of the manual work still done by humans, is it a matter of cost or actual technical feasibility?

Question

Watching SUV Superbuild and thinking years back to when Tesla fell far short of the “alien dreadnaught” factory for the Model 3, I’m curious why certain steps in the auto manufacturing process are still done my humans? Like setting the windshield and maneuvering in/installing the center console. Are most of the remaining manual processes still extremely difficult to automate with current technology, or is it just an optimization exercise around cost?

I know stuff like quality control/inspection is inherently not well suited for machines, but I’m referring to the actual assembly work.

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Cost and technical feasibility are actually the same thing. Almost anything can be automated if you spend enough money. As technology gets better, automation gets cheaper.