- "Automation describes a wide range of technologies that reduce human intervention in processes, namely by predetermining decision criteria, subprocess relationships, and related actions, as well as embodying those predeterminations in machines."
The use of technology and automation to improve logistics operations.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management: The management and flow of goods and services from the point of origin to the point of consumption, including procurement, transportation, storage, and distribution.
Inventory Management: The process of overseeing the levels of inventory and ensuring that there is enough inventory to fulfill demand while minimizing the cost of holding inventory.
Lean Manufacturing: A systematic approach to minimizing waste while maximizing productivity, including minimizing inventory levels and reducing production time.
Quality Management: The implementation of procedures and processes to ensure that products and services meet or exceed customer expectations.
Total Quality Management: An approach to quality management that involves all employees in the organization and focuses on continuous improvement of products and processes.
Six Sigma: A methodology for continuous improvement that focuses on reducing defects and variability in processes.
Computer Science: The study of computers and computing, including programming languages, algorithms, data structures, and software engineering.
Robotics: The design, construction, and operation of robots, including industrial robots and automation systems.
Control Systems: The design and implementation of systems that regulate the behavior of dynamic systems, including feedback control systems, process control systems, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems.
Manufacturing Engineering: The design and optimization of manufacturing processes, including machine tools, materials, and production systems.
Operations Research: The application of mathematical and statistical methods to optimize complex systems and processes.
Artificial Intelligence: The development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, including machine learning, natural language processing, and expert systems.
Data Science: The study of data management, including data acquisition, storage, analysis, visualization, and interpretation.
Cybersecurity: The protection of computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, attack, and theft of data.
Human Factors Engineering: The study of the interaction between people and machines, including how people use technology in real-world situations.
Mobile Computing: The design and development of software and hardware for mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets.
Internet of Things: The interconnection of devices and sensors via the internet, enabling remote monitoring and control of physical objects and systems.
Cloud Computing: The delivery of computing services over the internet, including storage, processing, and software applications.
Big Data: The study of large, complex data sets, including how to collect, store, and analyze data using advanced computational tools and algorithms.
Virtual Reality: The use of computer technology to create immersive, simulated environments that users can interact with in a realistic way.
Autonomous vehicles: Vehicles that can operate without human intervention.
Drones: Unmanned aerial vehicles that can be controlled remotely or autonomously.
Robotics: The use of robots to perform tasks, such as cleaning, assembly, or inspection.
Artificial intelligence: The development of computer systems that can perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence.
Machine learning: Techniques for training computers to learn from data and improve their performance.
Big data: The collection, storage, and analysis of large datasets to generate insights and inform decision-making.
Internet of Things (IoT): The integration of sensors and internet connectivity into everyday objects, enabling them to collect and share data.
Blockchain: A decentralized, secure ledger system for recording and verifying transactions.
Augmented reality: The overlaying of digital information onto the physical world, often through mobile devices or smart glasses.
Virtual reality: The creation of simulated environments that can be experienced through VR headsets or other devices.
Wearable technology: Electronic devices worn on the body, such as smartwatches or fitness trackers.
Biometrics: The use of biological characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, for identification and authentication.
3D printing: Additive manufacturing technology used to create physical objects from digital designs.
Cybersecurity: Technologies and practices used to protect computer systems and networks from malicious attacks or unauthorized access.
Cloud computing: The delivery of on-demand computing services over the internet, including storage, processing power, and applications.
Supply chain management software: Computer systems designed to manage the flow of goods and materials through a supply chain, including inventory management, logistics, and procurement.
Predictive analytics: The use of statistical algorithms to analyze historical data and make predictions about future events or trends.
Collaborative robots (cobots): Robots designed to work alongside humans in a collaborative and safe manner.
Natural language processing (NLP): The ability of computers to understand and interpret human language, enabling applications such as chatbots or voice-enabled assistants.
Quantum computing: A type of computer that uses quantum mechanics to perform operations, potentially enabling significant advances in fields such as cryptography and drug discovery.
- "Automation has been achieved by various means including mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, electronic devices, and computers, usually in combination."
- "The benefit of automation includes labor savings, reducing waste, savings in electricity costs, savings in material costs, and improvements to quality, accuracy, and precision."
- "Automation includes the use of various equipment and control systems such as machinery, processes in factories, boilers, and heat-treating ovens, switching on telephone networks, steering, and stabilization of ships, aircraft, and other applications and vehicles with reduced human intervention."
- "It can range from simple on-off control to multi-variable high-level algorithms in terms of control complexity."
- "This closed-loop control is an application of negative feedback to a system."
- "The term automation, inspired by the earlier word automatic (coming from automaton), was not widely used before 1947 when Ford established an automation department."
- "It was during this time that the industry was rapidly adopting feedback controllers, which were introduced in the 1930s."
- "The World Bank's World Development Report of 2019 shows evidence that the new industries and jobs in the technology sector outweigh the economic effects of workers being displaced by automation."
- "Job losses and downward mobility blamed on automation have been cited as one of many factors in the resurgence of nationalist, protectionist, and populist politics in the US, UK, and France, among other countries since the 2010s."