What is automation? You already use it every day

Machines that look after themselves

Walk up to a supermarket door and it opens. Nobody pressed a button. Nobody is standing behind it. The door looked after itself.

That is automation: a machine doing a job by itself, following rules that someone gave it.

Notice, decide, act

Every automatic machine does the same three things, over and over again.

• Notice. A sensor spots something. The door's sensor spots a person walking up.
• Decide. A small computer checks its rules. The rule says: if someone is close, open the door.
• Act. A motor does the work. It slides the door open.

Once you look, it is everywhere

• Traffic lights notice cars waiting and decide when to change.
• A washing machine notices how much water is in the drum and decides when to turn the water off.
• A lift notices which button you pressed and decides which floor to go to.
• A car wash notices where your car is and decides when to start the brushes.