From ovens with Wi-Fi cameras to fabric-sensing washers, manufacturers are designing appliances with a growing array of consumer-friendly features. The enhanced designs are leveraged to not only attract buyers through these features, but also to help manufacturers meet stringent energy regulations while improving safety and efficiency.

The internet has brought about the rise of the smart factory.  And there is no doubt that it’s in growth mode, with industry research showing that the smart factory market is growing 10% every year as more and more organizations adopt the latest techniques.  The technology that is driving the smart factory is the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the name given to the network of machines often on a factory floor that can communicate with each other, enabling new and exciting levels of integration.  This new data-driven industrial revolution is known as Industry 4.0. 

Over the past decade, modern technology has propelled efficiency enhancements at an exponential rate—even reducing the amount of effort required to interact with everyday staples like thermostats, appliances and entertainment systems. What used to involve the press of a button or turn of a knob now entails the subtlest touch of a finger, all thanks to the innovative functionality of capacitive switches and conductive sensors.