Automation
What is Automation?
Automation is the use of technology, machines, or
systems to perform tasks or processes without
human intervention. The goal is to increase
efficiency, reduce the need for human labor,
minimize errors, and improve consistency and
speed. Automation can be applied to a wide range
of activities, from simple repetitive tasks to more
complex processes that require decision-making
or problem-solving.
Basic Automation Key Elements:
• Machines and Equipment: These include devices like robots, conveyors,
sensors, and other machinery that can perform tasks like assembly, sorting, or
packing.
• Control Systems: These are typically software or computer systems that
manage and monitor automated processes. For example, Programmable Logic
Controllers (PLCs) control industrial machines, while more advanced systems
may involve artificial intelligence (AI) for decision-making.
• Sensors and Data Collection: Automation often relies on sensors and real-time
data to make decisions. These sensors detect changes in the environment or
process (such as temperature, speed, or position) and trigger automated
actions.
• Process Optimization: Automation can help improve processes by making
them more efficient, reducing waste, and ensuring consistency in production or
performance.
Types of Automation
• Fixed (or Hard) Automation: Involves high-volume, repetitive
tasks, where machines are set up to perform a specific task
(e.g., assembly lines).
• Programmable Automation: Used for tasks that require
flexibility. Machines can be programmed for different tasks and
products, which makes it suitable for batch production.
• Flexible Automation: Allows machines to adapt quickly to
changes, enabling the production of different products without
significant downtime. This is often used in industries that
require frequent design or production changes.
Example of Automation in Daily Life
•Manufacturing
•Home
•Finance/Business
•Health care
•Military
Development of Automation Technology
The development of automation technology
has been a transformative force in various
industries, evolving over centuries from basic
mechanical systems to the advanced robotics,
AI, and machine
1. Early Beginnings and the Industrial Revolution
(18th–19th Century)
• Mechanical Automation: Early forms of automation began with simple
machines that could perform repetitive tasks, like the spinning jenny or
mechanical looms. These inventions significantly boosted productivity in
textile manufacturing.
• Steam Power: The advent of the steam engine by James Watt (1765) led
to widespread mechanization, which allowed for the automation of
complex processes in manufacturing.
• Assembly Line (1913): Henry Ford revolutionized industrial automation
by introducing the moving assembly line. This innovation drastically
reduced production time and costs, especially for automobiles, and set
the stage for mass production across other sectors.
2. Mid-20th Century: The Rise of Electronics and
Computers
• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs): In the 1960s, PLCs were
introduced to control manufacturing processes. They replaced traditional
mechanical control systems and allowed for more complex, adaptable
automation.
• Industrial Robots: The 1960s also saw the rise of industrial robots, like the
Unimate, which could perform tasks like welding, material handling, and
painting in manufacturing plants. These robots were the precursor to
modern robotic arms in industries like automotive assembly.
• Computers and Microprocessors: The development of computers in the
1970s and 1980s brought about the possibility of automation on a larger
scale, allowing companies to control complex systems and optimize
production processes. Microprocessors and embedded systems enabled
more flexible automation solutions.
3. Late 20th Century: Advanced Automation and
Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machines: These
machines, which are controlled by computers to perform tasks
like milling, drilling, and turning, allowed for much more precise
and flexible manufacturing compared to traditional methods.
• Robotic Integration and AI: By the 1990s, robotics and
automation began to incorporate AI and machine learning, which
enabled robots to perform more intelligent tasks such as sorting,
quality control, and predictive maintenance.
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems: These software
solutions helped companies automate and integrate business
processes, allowing for streamlined operations from inventory
management to accounting.
4. 21st Century: The Age of Smart Automation
• Industry 4.0: This era refers to the integration of smart technologies like
IoT (Internet of Things), artificial intelligence, and big data in
manufacturing. Cyber-physical systems (systems that combine physical
and computational processes) enable more connected, automated, and
efficient production lines.
• Collaborative Robots (Cobots): In recent years, robots have become
more integrated into human workspaces. Cobots are designed to work
safely alongside humans, performing repetitive or dangerous tasks while
allowing workers to focus on higher-level functions.
• Self-Optimizing Systems: Automation systems are increasingly capable
of self-optimization, where machines use real-time data to improve
performance, efficiency, and decision-making, often without human
intervention.