Automation is the use of technology to automate repetitive and mundane tasks without human involvement, primarily focusing on production and process functions. Autonomation, also called jidoka, is a form of intelligent automation that focuses on supervisory functions. It enables machines to stop when anomalies are detected to prevent defective products and overproduction. The autonomation process at Toyota involves the machine identifying issues, stopping, fixing problems, and identifying root causes. Examples of autonomation in modern contexts include bank accounts locking after too many incorrect logins, electrical trips cutting power for safety, elevators limiting loads, gas valves closing during leaks, and oxygen masks deploying on airplanes during pressure drops.

1. Automation - use of technology to enable machines / systems / processes do repeatable and
mundane tasks without human involvement. Primary focus is on the production / process
functions
Autonomation/Jidoka - Intelligent Automation or Automation with a Human Touch. It is one of
the main tenets of Toyota Production System. Primary focus is on the supervisory function.
Autonomation enables the machine to stop in case it detects an anomaly. This prevents
production of defective products and eliminates over production. At Toyota, this is a four step
process
1. Machine identifies the anomaly
2. Machine stops working
3. Fix/correct the anomaly
4. Identify the root cause and correct it
Autonomation in modern day context
1. Apart from the production floor, Jikoda principle is being used on many
applications in the modern day context. A few day-to-day examples are as below:
2. When you log in to a bank account, if you repeatedly enter the login details
wrongly, it will get locked.
3. The electrical safe trip used in our homes trip, if they sense excess flow of
current, thus providing safety and protection of equipment.
4. An elevator will not move if the load exceeds the limit; it will also give a warning
beep.
5. In the piped domestic gas supply systems, in case of leaks, excess flow is
sensed and the valve will close supply to the suspected line.
6. In the event of drop in cabin pressure in the airplane, the oxygen masks will
automatically drop down for the passenger’s use.