Automation

Back in The Olden Days, automation didn't exist. Factory-floor operations were manual, so could be very tedious and slow, as well as dangerous. But over the years, many of these tasks are done automatically by either stationary or mobile machines that can "think" about what needs to be adjusted, changed, added or scrapped, and alert human supervisors of unusual or unexpected happenings.

Robots were the stuff of comics and science-fiction but they are becoming quite commonplace now. In our homes, washing machines, vacuum cleaners and dishwashers all work without our help, and the TV can change to a pre-selected channel to view or record scheduled programmes.
Driverless trucks and trains are being used at mining sites, and driverless cars are appearing on our roads.
Mobile phones and watches are now available that can sense if the user suffers a medical episode or accident, and automatically send a message giving location and other details and requesting help.

Some forms of transport don't adapt easily though. Buses and passenger trains still need human control because of the human element of their tasks. And although aircraft have been able to self-navigate in flight for quite some time now, they are still controlled manually during take-off and landing because of the variable conditions that can arise during these times.

Exploring the bottom of the oceans is dangerous, tedious, and difficult. In the past there were two options: a manned submersible, or an unmanned craft tethered to a ship on the surface via a long umbilical cord.

There's a high safety risk with the first option, while tethered craft require expensive ships to remain idle on the surface. Now, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) are taking over for tasks like oil and gas exploration, searching for sunken ships and aircraft and materials, and mapping underwater features. Some of these machines operate completely autonomously, without any kind of human intervention.

Boeing has built the Echo Seeker, a 32-foot-long autonomous submarine that can remain submerged for up to three days at a time. Its speed of about 3.5 mph may seem unimpressive, but it can travel 265 miles without recharging, reporting its findings as it goes. It can fit inside a standard 40-foot shipping container, allowing it to be moved quickly and safely around the world.