I. Concepts

Automation surrounds us, in many forms. Robots might be the first thing that springs to mind, but automation is also in imagery we see, sounds we hear, and actions we take. No matter how complex automations may appear, they always consist of a trigger that starts the process, something that’s being acted upon (or input), the actions themselves (or commands), and the results (or output). When viewed as these four elements, automation isn’t really very mysterious.

In fact, automation is probably more familiar to you than you realize. Just think about your morning routine to understand how basic automation is to our existence. We are a bundle of bodily automations, habits, instincts, and rituals. Our hearts beat, our lungs breathe, our bodies move, all thanks to automation. We multitask, rely on instincts, and habitually make our morning coffee just so because automation is there, underlying and supporting us. We could not get through 10 minutes, let alone an entire day, without it. It is us—body, mind and spirit.