Autonomous vs. Automatic — What's the Difference?

Not controlled by others.

Operating by itself.

Able to operate independently.

Pre-determined.

Self-governing.

Mechanically performed.

Independent in behavior or thought.

Acting instinctively.

Self-directed action or reaction.

Effortless.

Not controlled by others or by outside forces; independent

Acting or operating in a manner essentially independent of external influence or control

Independent in mind or judgment; self-directed.

Self-regulating

Independent of the laws of another state or government; self-governing.

Acting or done without volition or conscious control; involuntary

Of or relating to a self-governing entity

Acting or done as if by machine; mechanical

Self-governing with respect to local or internal affairs

Capable of firing continuously until ammunition is exhausted or the trigger is released

Autonomic.

Semiautomatic

Self-governing. Intelligent, sentient, self-aware, thinking, feeling, governing independently.

An automatic machine or device.

Acting on one's own or independently; of a child, acting without being governed by parental or guardian rules.

An automatic firearm.

Used with no subject, indicating an unknown or unspecified agent; used in similar situations as the passive in English (the difference being that the theme in the English passive construction is the subject, while in the Celtic autonomous construction the theme is the object and there is no subject).

A semiautomatic firearm.

Independent in government; having the right or power of self-government.

A transmission or a motor vehicle with an automatic gear-shifting mechanism.

Having independent existence or laws.

(Football) See audible.

Of political bodies;

Capable of operating without external control or intervention.

Existing as an independent entity;

Done out of habit or without conscious thought.

Of persons; free from external control and constraint in e.g. action and judgment

Necessary, inevitable, prescribed by logic, law, etc.

(of a firearm such as a machine gun) Firing continuously as long as the trigger is pressed until ammunition is exhausted.

(of a handgun) An autoloader; a semi-automatic or self-loading pistol, as opposed to a revolver or other manually actuated handgun, which fires one shot per pull of the trigger; distinct from machine guns.

Automatically added to and removed from the stack during the course of function calls.

Having one or more finite-state automata.

A car with automatic transmission.

A semi-automatic pistol.

Having an inherent power of action or motion.

Pertaining to, or produced by, an automaton; of the nature of an automaton; self-acting or self-regulating under fixed conditions; operating with minimal human intervention; - esp. applied to machinery or devices in which certain things formerly or usually done by hand are done by the machine or device itself; as, the automatic feed of a lathe; automatic gas lighting; an automatic engine or switch; an automatic mouse; an automatic transmission. The opposite of manual.

Not voluntary; not depending on the will; mechanical; controlled by the autonomic nervous system; without conscious control; as, automatic movements or functions. The opposite of voluntary.

Like the unthinking functioning of a machine.

Light machine gun.

A pistol that will keep firing until the ammunition is gone or the trigger is released; as, a .45 automatic.

Light machine gun

A pistol that will keep firing until the ammunition is gone or the trigger is released

Operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control;

Like the unthinking functioning of a machine;

Without volition or conscious control;

Industries such as automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and logistics benefit greatly from autonomous technologies due to their ability to increase efficiency and safety.

Automatic systems are commonly used in manufacturing, home appliances, and routine office tasks, where consistent repetition of actions is required.

Autonomous systems use machine learning algorithms that allow them to learn from data and experiences, thereby improving their performance and decision-making over time.

No, automatic systems typically cannot adjust to changes in their environment as they follow predefined operations and lack situational awareness.

The primary technologies include artificial intelligence, machine learning, sensors, and data analytics, which enable decision-making and adaptability.

Sensors are crucial in autonomous systems as they gather data from the environment, which is essential for making informed decisions and adaptive responses.

Yes, automatic systems are typically easier to maintain due to their simpler designs and the predictable nature of their tasks.

The reliability of autonomous systems in unpredictable environments can vary, but continuous improvements in AI are enhancing their adaptability and resilience.

Current advancements include improving AI algorithms, enhancing sensor accuracy, integrating more robust communication networks, and developing ethical AI governance.

Yes, once configured, automatic systems can operate independently, performing their tasks without further human intervention unless reprogramming is needed.

Ethical considerations include privacy issues, the potential for job displacement, accountability for decisions made by systems, and ensuring fairness in AI algorithms.

Yes, automatic systems typically require a continuous electricity supply to operate as they lack the ability to store energy or make decisions about energy use.

Public perception of autonomous technologies is mixed, with excitement about potential benefits tempered by concerns over privacy, security, and reliability.

Developing autonomous systems is generally more expensive due to the advanced technology and sophisticated programming required, compared to more straightforward automatic systems.

Safety measures for autonomous systems include rigorous testing, redundant systems, real-time monitoring, and fail-safe mechanisms designed to prevent malfunctions.