Opportunities in Automation and Control [From the Editor´s Desk]

This issue of IEEE Industry Applications Magazine focuses on automation and control. Automation can be defined as the application of sensors, control systems, and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production and delivery of goods and services. The benefits to society go beyond this simple definition. Automation and control technologies touch every facet of the fields of interest of the IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS). Automation and control technologies enable improvements in reliability, quality, precision, and efficiencies in manufacturing processes by reducing the dependence on people to perform routine or mundane tasks, by reducing energy demand, and by optimizing the use of raw materials.