Automation (Building)

Automation buildings form the in-game category of structures that send or receive automation signals through dedicated input and output ports. These buildings create an automation network separate from the electrical grid and shipping network; automation wires carry boolean-like control signals used to coordinate machines, sensors, gates, doors, conveyors and power management devices. Automation systems let the player create conditional behaviors — for example, turning generators on or off, gating conveyor flows, triggering alarms, or switching devices based on environmental or production thresholds.

Automation-capable buildings include sensors, logic gates, switches and power regulators, as well as a variety of production and routing structures that expose automation ports. Many common buildings are available with either an automation input (so they can be controlled) or an automation output (so they can emit signals). Logic gates are the basic programmable elements; all logic gates cost 25 kg of Refined Metal. Switches provide direct player-controlled signals and are unlocked from the Power Regulation research. The Power Shutoff functions like a Switch but responds to automation signals and is unlocked from Advanced Power Regulation. Conveyor Rail Sensors and other material-handling sensors are unlocked by Solid Management research.

Automation networks integrate with other systems in predictable ways. Smart Batteries and certain power-management buildings use automation to prevent resource waste: Smart Batteries are designed to control production buildings by issuing automation signals when stored charge crosses configured thresholds, preventing generators from producing power when no demand exists. Regulators and transformers protect and shape electrical networks but are distinct from automation wiring; however, automation can be used to control these devices indirectly (for example, by switching feeders or disabling producers). Shipping networks (conveyor rails and cargo ports) require a duplicant with the Mechatronics Engineering skill to build; automation sensors for those networks are obtained via Solid Management.

Practical notes and common uses:

• Use sensors (temperature, element, storage, pressure, conveyor sensors) to emit automation output when a monitored condition is met; route that signal to a Switch, Gate or Power Shutoff to take action.
• Combine sensors with logic gates to create complex conditions (AND, OR, NOT, XOR). Gates provide a compact way to implement multi-condition rules using the fixed Refined Metal cost.
• Smart Batteries reduce fuel waste by signaling generators to stop when sufficient energy is stored. They are often paired with Power Shutoffs or Switches to route power to specific subsystems.
• Conveyor Rail Sensors and related automation pieces allow precise control over material routing on rail networks; they unlock under Solid Management.
• Shipping networks and advanced automation shipping elements require Mechatronics Engineering for construction and operation.
• Automation wiring is separate from power wiring; plan routing and signal isolation carefully to avoid unwanted cross-signaling. Wire bridges and equivalent routing techniques allow signals to cross without merging.
• Many advanced power-management buildings (transformers, large transformers, power banks and dischargers) coexist with automation systems to protect networks from overload or to activate auxiliary power sources on demand.

Design automation early to protect delicate systems (farms, life support, power generation) and to automate routine tasks. Proper use of automation reduces duplicant micromanagement, prevents resource waste, and enables large-scale, reliable base behavior.