Hackers can infect network-connected wrenches to install ransomware | Researchers identify 23 vulnerabilities, some of which can exploited with no authentication::Researchers identify 23 vulnerabilities, some of which can exploited with no authentication.
That does not require an internet connection.
Network connection isn’t the same as Internet connection.
It’s to avoid the worker needing to manually input the torque for each bolt, and it can also be used to record the torque as part of inspection.
You’re right, something like what I described wouldn’t necessarily need networking to work like that. However, think if you had to manage 100 or more of these devices for people in an assembly plant. Deploying new torque specs to all of the workers’ tools wirelessly would be much faster than having them bring them in individually after each batch job had been completed.