Automatics

Automatics is a broad term for mechanisms and systems that operate without human intervention. It covers devices and processes designed to perform tasks automatically, often using sensors, controllers, and actuators. In everyday language, "automatics" is commonly used to refer to automatic transmissions in cars and to firearms, but the term also applies to industrial automation, robotics, and other automatic control systems.

In automotive technology, the "automatic" refers to an automatic transmission, which shifts gears through hydraulic and/or electronic control without driver input. The first widely adopted automatic was General Motors' Hydra-Matic, introduced in the 1940s. Over time, automatics evolved to use torque converters, planetary gear sets, and electronic control units; modern designs include electronically controlled automatics, dual-clutch transmissions, and continuously variable transmissions (CVTs).

In firearms, "automatic" describes weapons that continue firing while the trigger is pressed and ammunition is supplied automatically, as opposed to semi-automatic firearms that fire once per trigger pull. Fully automatic firearms are subject to strict regulation in many countries, with legal status varying by jurisdiction; military and some law enforcement personnel generally have broader access with licensing and controls.

In engineering and manufacturing, automatics refer to automation systems that perform tasks without ongoing human control. This includes use of sensors, feedback loops, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), robotics, and computer numerical control (CNC) machinery. Benefits include improved precision, consistency, and productivity, while challenges include initial cost, maintenance, safety considerations, and cybersecurity risks.