The act of implementing the control of equipment with advanced technology usually involving electronic hardware.

The biggest benefit of automation is that it saves labor, however, it is also used to save energy and materials and to improve quality, accuracy and precision.

Automation has been achieved by various means including mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, electronic and computers, usually in combination. Complicated systems, such as modern factories, airplanes and ships typically use all these combined techniques.

"Automation replaces human workers by machines".

Source:

- http://www.thefreedictionary.com/automation - Thesaurus.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automation.