Vehicular automation involves the use of
mechatronics,
artificial intelligence, and
multi-agent system to assist a
vehicle's operator. These features and the vehicles employing them may be labeled as
intelligent or
smart. A vehicle using automation for difficult tasks, especially navigation, may be referred to as
semi-autonomous. A vehicle relying solely on automation is consequently referred to as
robotic or
autonomous. After the invention of the
integrated circuit, the sophistication of
automation technology increased. Manufacturers and researchers subsequently added a variety of automated functions to automobiles and other vehicles.