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What three developments contributed to the growth of automation?
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The growth of automation has been driven by several key technological advancements throughout the 20th century. Three primary developments that contributed to this progress include:
- Digital Computer Technology: The development of the electronic digital computer allowed control functions to become significantly more sophisticated and enabled complex calculations to be performed at high speeds. Subsequent innovations, such as integrated circuits and microprocessors, further miniaturized these systems while increasing their processing power.1
- Sensor Technology: Advances in sensor technology provided the necessary measuring devices for automatic feedback control systems. These sensors, which include electromechanical probes and machine vision, allow machines to perceive their environment and perform tasks like quality inspection and robot guidance.1
- Control Theory: The evolution of a highly advanced mathematical theory of control systems—including negative feedback, optimal control, and adaptive control—provided the theoretical framework required to manage and optimize complex automated processes.1
These developments, alongside improvements in data storage and programming languages, have transformed automation from simple mechanical tasks into the sophisticated, programmable systems used in modern industry today.1