What is automation?

Automation means the use of machinery and technologies to make tasks operate automatically and without human involvement. It uses electrical and computer-controlled technologies to replace manual tasks.

For example, robots have begun to replace human labour in manufacturing, and teachers are being replaced by online learning. It's a slow process but also a continuous process of computer-based systems, which are replacing occupations. Millions of careers are predicted to disappear worldwide at some point in time, for example, when self-driving cars will be popular for use in public transit.

Automation is a technology to create and provide products and services with little or no human involvement. It covers a large variety of technologies that minimize human involvement in the processes of giving products or services.

Programming and related actions into robots are reducing human interaction. Many jobs that were formerly carried out by people are now more profitable, reliable, and quick because of the application of automation technologies and methods.

Now, how is today's automation technology created? This automation technology is created by a combination of various sectors' technology like hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, computers, electrical and electronic devices. Big projects, like industrial factories, aircraft, and ship manufacturing, use all the above sector's technology.

Different companies, including manufacturing, defense, services, logistics, and most significantly, information technology, utilize automation.

Automation in various sectors

Let's start with the most well-known sector that quickly comes to our mind as we call the word automation:

Robot (automation in manufacturing/service sector)

A robot is a machine, particularly one that can be programmed by a computer and is ready to automatically perform complicated tasks. Robotics is the area of technology, just like electrical, mechanical etc., which includes the establishment, maintenance, and usage of robots as well as computer systems. Robotics technologies deal with autonomous robots that can replace people in risky situations or in production activities. Now, robots may be either personal or commercial in nature; because it depends on why we are developing a robot in the modern world.

Home automation 

Home automation means building a home with the latest technology, which is also known as a smart house/home. Definition of home automation includes Lights, temperature, entertainment systems, and a Fitness area with the latest equipment and electrical items, which are just a few examples of the house which convert a normal home into an automated home. It can also include elements of the home like security alarm systems and password protection.

Automation in bank

Some examples of bank automation are computer-controlled cash handling and the process of counting and tracking cash in a bank. Auto-generated account detail or other business environments using special developed hardware and software for quality assurance, theft, and to minimize management time for supervision of the cash drawer during transactions.

Some more examples in the bank automaton are:

• ATD (automated teller device)
• Cash machine
• Cash verifier (acceptor)

Automation in operation/facility

A vending machine is an example of automation in a service device that sells goods to customers, such as snacks, drinks, and cigarettes, in exchange for cash or other modes of payment. In the early 1880s, England produced the first automated vending machines.

Automation in the IT sector 

The process of developing software and systems for repeatable procedures and the replacement of humans with modern hardware and software is known as IT automation. By automation, in the IT sector, manual steps which once required human contact speeds up the supply of IT services and applications.

Opposite to job loss, on the one hand, we can thank IT automation because using IT automation technology today, anyone can scale up their business. However, there are endless potential uses for automation. Some of the more popular examples are as follows:

•  Network Administration
•  Automation of security for data.

Advantages of Automation

• Labour savings – Any industry can quickly lower labour costs with the help of using automation. Automation has the main advantage of reducing labour costs in company operations. Automation is the only element reducing labour costs, as it allows manufacturing workers to work fewer hours each week on average. According to the National Safety Council, occupational injuries cost was around $161.5 billion in 2017. This covers not just medical bills but also lost-time charges and office overhead.

• Savings in electricity costs – Automation decreases the amount of time required to complete any task, so if a task is finished quickly, power will be automatically saved.

• Improvements to quality - Now, this is very clear that any work done by a machine in place of a human will be a quality product because the machine makes less-mistake than humans.

• Accuracy and precision - It are observed that machines are more accurate than a human; while a person can easily make a mistake and push the wrong button, a machine that is installed and set up properly will always perform the task as programmed. So, whenever we compare the work done by machines to work done by a human, we find more accuracy and precision in the machine's work.

• Reliability and consistency - Machines do not get distracted by another task, and there's very little variation in a machine's performance because of the accuracy we have done before. This means the task will be performed the same way every time. From dispensing ingredients to assembling parts and everything in between, automation improves consistency across the process and in the final product, improving quality and reducing costs of product defects.

• Increased productivity - A person cannot be expected to work continuously without breaks. A person also has limits to the speed with which they can work safely. A machine also has limits, although machines' limits are much greater than a person. A robot has the ability to work at a constant speed without a break, 24/7. Automotive machines do not require breaks in between work and sick leave, and therefore it boosts a production increase of 140% +. Automated machinery can also run faster and produce more accurate products with fewer defects.

• Increased safety - Automated machines help to keep employees away from dangerous tasks and make the environment safer.

Disadvantage of Automation

• Heavy capital investment – When we compare it to a manually operated machine, then we find that automatic machinery takes a huge cost of maintenance. Which are millions of dollars to design, construct, and install. But again, in comparison to a manual method, you will find that machines (robots) are less flexible in terms of the variation in products.

• Worker displacement – It doesn't matter whether the problem is in manufacturing, teaching, banking, medications, food, or beverages. Automation and other technologies like robots are replacing employees everywhere. Employees in the logistics, security, and IT sectors. Those who have had there at jobs once and lost their job due to automation go through a time of mental hardship. Because of the automation, the workers can be relocated in order to find new employment, which can put everyone under stress.

• Loss of jobs – The main effect of automation on the workforce is joblessness. Examples include the introduction of Delhi's driverless metro system and reductions in staff at major IT firms like Cognizant, Infosys, and Tech Mahindra. These clearly demonstrate how automation has affected the nation. And when more such automation activities grow over time, employment will be lost directly.

For example, in the trucking industry, 27% of professional drivers think their jobs may be at risk within the next five years due to the possible risk of autonomous cars. According to estimates, the introduction of driverless cars might lead to the eventual loss of 1.7 million drivers' employment. This is only one example of a job loss which will occur by automation.