Exactly. Thus we see ultra-high automation levels in stamping, painting, and welding, where deviations are minimal. But once in final assembly/trim etc. there is a deviation every few cars! The headliner flops around and won't snap in correctly, the line jerks to a halt just as a nut driver engages, etc. COULD you automate for all these case? Yup. But why would you, when you can have ultra-flexible humans. This was always my question about Tesla's automation quest (now apparently dropped): assume maybe 7 hours in final assembly, say $70 an hour labor fully loaded, call it $500. Put in $100 million in extra automation cut the 7 to 3, how long before THAT pays off? Maybe you CAN do it, but it verges on Juicero: did you really need to automate squeezing a bag of veggie pulp?
