This chapter reviews the pivotal role of photonic technologies in real-time monitoring and quality control in industrial environments. It provides an overview of different types of photonic sensors, such as fiber optic temperature and strain sensors, photonic crystal fibers for gas sensing, fiber grating sensors and surface plasmon resonance biosensors. The chapter explores the fundamental principles of these sensors, their benefits and how they are used in different industrial applications. Moreover, the chapter covers various technologies based on laser and optical spectroscopy for the purposes of quality control in manufacturing. The chapter concludes with a discussion of existing challenges in implementing photonic technologies, such as interoperability, workforce development and high initial investment, and the promise of photonic technologies for greater sustainability, safety and efficiency in the next revolution of industrial automatization.