Autopilot

The autopilot is a system that assists a human operator in controlling the path of a vehicle by automating some tasks, allowing the operator to focus on other aspects of the operation. The first autopilot was developed by Sperry Corporation in 1912, and early autopilots were designed to fly the aircraft straight and level on a compass course without requiring constant manual control. Over the years, autopilots have been further developed to include improved control algorithms and hydraulic servomechanisms, allowing for more complex flight paths and automated takeoff and landing. Autopilots are now a standard feature in most commercial aircraft, with three levels of control for smaller aircraft: single-axis autopilot, two-axis autopilot, and three-axis autopilot.learn more on wikipedia