automates

Automates is the third-person singular present tense of automate, meaning to apply technology, controls, or procedures to operate a task or system with reduced or no human intervention. In everyday use, to automate a process is to replace manual steps with machines or software so that the task can run automatically.

Automation spans mechanical systems, electrical controls, and software. It encompasses industrial automation on manufacturing lines, process automation in chemical and pharmaceutical settings, and software automation such as scripted workflows and automated testing. An automates action often relies on sensors, actuators, controllers, and data that enable feedback and adjustment.

Historical developments show automation emerging during the Industrial Revolution through mechanization and later through electrical and electronic control systems. The rise of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) networks expanded capabilities, while more recent advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing broaden automation to service and knowledge-based tasks, including robotic process automation (RPA) and automated data analysis.

Benefits commonly include improved efficiency, consistency, accuracy, safety, and the ability to operate continuously. Automation can reduce labor costs and shorten cycle times, but it often requires substantial upfront investment, system integration, and ongoing maintenance. It also raises considerations about job displacement, cybersecurity, and the need for skilled personnel to design, monitor, and repair automated systems.

Related topics include automation, robotics, control systems, and software testing automation.