Autonomation
Autonomation (Jidoka) is a fundamental principle in lean production, often translated as "automation with a human touch" or "intelligent automation."
See also: Jidoka
Its core concept is to embed human-like intelligence into machines, enabling them to detect abnormal conditions and halt production immediately while signalling the problem. This self-stopping mechanism is crucial for ensuring built-in quality by preventing defects from moving downstream. It enhances efficiency, quality control, and overall operational stability.