automation
nounUK /ˌɔː.təˈmeɪ.ʃən/ · US /ˌɔ.təˈmeɪ.ʃən/
Etymology From automatic + -ion or automaton + -ion; coined by a Ford Executive Vice President, Delmar S. Harder, in the 1940s.
1
The act or process of converting the controlling of a machine or device to a more automatic system, such as computer or electronic controls.
- With all the discussion of automation, one point seems to have been largely overlooked. In a number of fields, automatic controls do not merely cut costs. They also make possible production processes that otherwise could not be attempted.1955 June 23, “Science and Industry”, in The Atlantic, →ISSN:
- The presidential campaign has been more focused on Bain Capital and an “apology tour” than on the challenges created by globalization and automation.2012 October 24, David Leonhardt, “Standard of Living Is in the Shadows as Election Issue”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
1 more example
- When deployed by monopolies / cartels, automation institutionalizes mediocrity, and soon everyone forgets excellence and quality because they no longer have any experience of either one.2025 February 14, Charles Hugh Smith, Automation Institutionalizes Mediocrity:
- Derived terms
- agrimation, automate, automation bias, automation complacency, cybernation, fauxtomation, home automation, hyperautomation, island of automation, manumation, nonautomation, office automation, semiautomation, sortation
- Related terms
- automat, automatic, automatize, automaton, autonomation