autorotates

Autorotate is a verb meaning to rotate automatically or be driven to rotate by a source of energy or by another process, often without direct control. It derives from auto- + rotate and is used across several technical and descriptive contexts.

In aviation, to autorotate refers to a maneuver in which the rotor continues to spin as the aircraft descends, powered by the upward flow of air rather than engine power. This allows a controlled landing after an in-flight power loss. The associated state is called autorotation, and pilots manage rotor speed and airspeed to ensure a safe descent and touchdown.

In technology and media, autorotate describes objects or systems that spin on their own without user input. For example, 3D models in demonstrations may be programmed to autorotate to showcase geometry, while unpowered mechanical rotors can continue to spin briefly after power is removed due to inertia or aerodynamic coupling.

In robotics, physics, and mechanical design, autorotation can denote self-sustained rotational motion driven by energy transfer between forces, such as wind, gravity, or environmental torque. Designs may exploit autorotation for passive stabilization, energy harvesting, or simplified control in certain operating regimes, though it can also introduce challenges related to control, stability, and wear.

Overall, autorotate encompasses actions and phenomena where rotation occurs automatically or without direct actuation, with the noun form being autorotation. The precise meaning and implications vary by field, but the core idea remains rotation driven by external energy or automatic dynamics rather than conscious input.