The beginning of the era of mechanization has seen the use of machines in manufacturing processes, causing the need for human control and intervention to lessen or even cease. Automation uses control systems together with information technology to control machinery and processes, with minimal or no intervention by humans. In fact, it may be possible to automate both processes and systems so that human involvement is completely obviated. In manufacturing, automation is often used to increase productivity, cut costs, and improve quality. It helps replace humans performing monotonous and tiresome tasks in unsafe environments, and it addresses tasks that are beyond human capability.

This handbook includes a DVD of the full text, which is searchable. It is a huge volume, containing nearly 100 chapters and numerous figures. Many reputed authors were involved in its preparation. The audience consists of anyone interested in various aspects of automation.

The handbook has ten parts. The first part focuses on the development and impact of automation. Its eight chapters explain the profound effect automation has on human life. Emerging trends and challenges in automation are also studied. The second part is on automation theory and technological cornerstones. It discusses the role of humans in automation, with details of automation’s limitations. The third part, “Automation Design: Theory, Elements, and Methods,” explains automation’s basic components and how they work with control and automation software. Part 4, “Automation Design: Theory and Methods for Integration,” studies the basic design requirements for automation. It considers topics such as processes, design techniques, criteria and algorithms for flow lines, and integrated automation. The fifth part, on automation management, discusses cost effectiveness and reasons for using a specific type of automation. Part 6, “Industrial Automation,” explains machine tool automation; numerical control; flexible and precision machinery for production, manufacturing, and assembly; digital and virtual industrial production; and the application of automation in various industries. The 14 chapters in Part 7, “Infrastructure and Service Automation,” show how automation is used to build structures for air and space transportation, as well as in sports and entertainment. Part 8, “Automation in Medical and Healthcare Systems,” explains automation’s contributions to biological and biomedical systems, and to healthcare techniques and the elimination of medical mistakes. The book ends with Part 9, “Home, Office, and Enterprise Automation,” and Part 10, an appendix that includes figures and tables with statistics about the application of automation. It also includes a list of associations and periodicals related to automation. Information about the authors and a subject index are found at the very end of the handbook. The book includes numerous current references and uniform resource locators (URLs) for Web sites.

This handbook will be very useful to those who are interested in automation. It emphasizes key concepts and practical applications, and it is up to date, thorough, professional, and compact. It will be helpful as an authoritative reference for understanding the latest developments and applications of automation. (My only quibble: the book’s back cover has blue text on a red background, making it virtually unreadable.)