The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to automation: Automation – use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services. In the scope of industrialization, automation is a step beyond mechanization.

Essence of automation

Branches of automation

General purpose

Specific purpose

Fields contributing to automation

History of automation

Automated machines

Automated machine components

Automation tools

Social movements

Automation-related social movement – a movement that advocates semi- or fully automatic systems to provide for human needs globally. For example, automation of farming and food distribution throughout the world so that no one will go hungry. One goal is to automate all mundane labor, to free humans to engage in more creative activities (or less work).

Automation in the future

Automation-related publications

Automation-related organizations

Automation-related awards

Persons influential in the field of automation

James S. Albus – a US government engineer and a prolific pioneering inventor of intelligent systems, automation and robotics. Also wrote extensively on the impact of automation on jobs, incomes, well-being and prosperity