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The term automation comes from automatos, a Greek word meaning acting by itself, or by its own will, or spontaneously. Automation has been defined as the performance of tasks by machines (usually computers) rather than human operators (Parasuraman et al., 2000), or a technology that actively selects data, transforms information, makes decisions, or controls processes, as well as exhibits potential to extend human performance and improve safety (Lee & See, 2004). Although automation has been defined in many different ways, the common theme is that automation is about the autonomy of a system or process from human involvement and intervention, and, quite often, it frees humans from time-consuming and repetitive tasks, whether the tasks involve physical activities or simple cognitive activities.
Automation dates back to ancient times when tools were first invented by humans. Early examples of automation include windmills, water clocks, sundials, and self-moving artifacts. During the first Industrial Revolution, automated systems were designed for temperature control, operation of mills, and regulation of steam engines (Bissell, 2009). Many tasks performed by artisans were also automated, such as spinning and weaving in manufacturing (Acemoglu & Restrepo, 2019). Modern automation started during the early 20th century when Henry Ford introduced the assembly lines for mass production. Ever since then, automation has been widely used for various control systems for operating equipment, factory processes, boilers and heat treating ovens, telephone network switches, steering and stabilization of ships, aircraft and vehicles with the purpose to reduce human cost and intervention and improve efficiency and quality (Rifkin, 1995). Automation has been achieved by various technologies including mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, and electronics, or in combination (Parasuraman & Wickens, 2008; Williams, 2009). Although automation may not involve computers, it is the computers that have revolutionized automation and made it so widely adopted in every industry today (Janssen et al., 2019).