autopilot

be on automatic pilot

To function or do something automatically, without thinking about one's actions, generally because one has done something many times in the past. Also used in the shortened form, "be on autopilot." By the second week of data entry, I felt like I was on automatic pilot. Making bottles, changing diapers, and putting the baby to sleep were all challenging at first, but now I feel like I'm on automatic pilot when I do it. Sometimes I arrive at work without remembering how I got there, like I was on automatic pilot the whole time.
See also: automatic, on, pilot

on automatic pilot

Automatically, without thinking about one's actions, generally because one has done something many times in the past. Also used in the shortened form, "on autopilot." By the second week of data entry, I could fill in the spreadsheets on automatic pilot. Making bottles, changing diapers, and putting the baby to sleep were all challenging at first, but now I feel like I'm doing it all on automatic pilot. Sometimes I arrive at work without remembering how I got there, like I was on automatic pilot the whole time.
See also: automatic, on, pilot

on autopilot

(Functioning) automatically, without thinking about one's actions, generally because one has done something many times in the past. By the second week of data entry, I could fill in the spreadsheets on autopilot. Making bottles, changing diapers, and putting the baby to sleep were all challenging at first, but now I feel like I'm doing it all on autopilot. Sometimes I arrive at work without remembering how I got there, like I was on autopilot the whole time.
See also: autopilot, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

on automatic pilot

or

on autopilot

COMMON If you are on automatic pilot or on autopilot, you are acting without thinking about what you are doing, usually because you have done it many times before or because you are very tired. Note: `Autopilot' is often written as `auto-pilot' in British English. Steve seemed to be on automatic pilot and able to go on driving without apparent fatigue. Note: You can also say that you go on to automatic pilot or on to autopilot if you start acting in this way. When the kids came home I just switched on to autopilot, making the tea, listening to them fight. Note: In aircraft, automatic pilot is a device which automatically keeps the plane on course without the need for the pilot to do much.
See also: automatic, on, pilot
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

be on ˌautomatic ˈpilot

do something without thinking because you have done the same thing many times before: I got up and dressed on automatic pilot.
The automatic pilot is the device in an aircraft that keeps it on a fixed course without the need for a person to control it. It is often shortened to ‘autopilot’: I did the journey on autopilot.
See also: automatic, on, pilot
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • (one) could use (something)
  • (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
  • a thing of the past
  • (one) never would have guessed
  • (one) doesn't give a rip (about something)
  • all right
  • (one) doesn't give a hoot (about something)
  • a/the feel of (something)
  • (one) won't hear of (something)
  • a straw will show which way the wind blows
References in periodicals archive
If you're rusty on the avionics, on the gauges or on the glass, chances are you're going to be behind the curve on the autopilot and the systems that drive it.
Five Reasons Not To Fly A Coupled Approach: It's always tempting to let Otto do the work, but it takes us out of the loop at a time ivhen we really need to be in it
The bottom line here is that it won't be possible to control the autopilot from the Aspen.
UPGRADE CONFUSION
Tesla's Autopilot feature enables the car to steer, accelerate and brake within its lane, although Tesla highlights that it requires active driver supervision when in use.
Shocking footage reveals motorcyclist intentionally HITTING Tesla on Autopilot; The video shows how the frustrated motorcyclist lashed out at the Tesla Model 3, after it wouldn't make space for him to pass by
Similar to its previous response, Tesla, commenting on the lane recognition section of the findings, said: "In this demonstration, the researchers adjusted the physical environment (for example, placing tape on the road or altering lane lines) around the vehicle to make the car behave differently when Autopilot is in use.
Video: Chinese experiment finds flaws with Tesla Autopilot
However, that anti-stall system called MCAS for its acronym only activates if the autopilot is turned off, according to documents Boeing has shared with airlines and the FAA.
Pilots have reported issues in US with new Boeing jet
The captain disconnected autopilot and recovered the aircraft, having dropped to 928ft.
Blunder sent plane into a dive
The aircraft climbed to 1500ft but "pitched nosedown and then descended rapidly" because autopilot was mistakenly set with a target altitude of zero feet.
Autopilot led flight to plunge
In a statement, a Tesla spokesperson said, "When using Autopilot, drivers are continuously reminded of their responsibility to keep their hands on the wheel and maintain control of the vehicle at all times.
Tesla car hit parked police vehicle while on "autopilot"
Evolution[TM] Release 4 (R4) is a substantial advancement of Raymarine Evolution Autopilots, which brings wind and waypoint autopilot steering to a new level of accurate and responsive control, making steering to a destination easier, faster and more efficient.
Major autopilot upgrade: Raymarine's self-calibrating 9-axis autopilot is now even more responsive
DETROIT, Dhu-AlHijjah 21, 1437, Sep 22, 2016, SPA -- Tesla Motors says a software update to its Autopilot system will disable automatic steering if drivers don't keep their hands on the wheel, according to AP.
Tesla update halts automatic steering if driver inattentive
securities filing on Friday that its top executives were assured by Tesla Motors Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk that drivers of the company's electric cars would not be allowed to take their hands off the wheel when using the "Autopilot" driving assistance system, but Tesla later allowed hands-free driving over Mobileye's objections.
Mobileye says it warned Tesla against enabling 'hands-free' driving
Summary: CEO Elon Musk reveals 'dramatic improvements' to the automaker's Autopilot technology that shift it to rely primarily on radar
Tesla's cars to rely more on radar
The Model S Tesla was being operated by what the car company calls Autopilot. The NTSB called the system "Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer." The car also had an automatic emergency braking system that was designed to slow or stop before a collision, according to the NTSB.
Florida driver in fatal Tesla crash using Autopilot was speeding
The driver was killed when his Tesla S car -- operating in semi-autonomous Autopilot mode -- collided with a tractor trailer that pulled in front of him on a Florida highway.
Tesla claims ignorance of SEC probe after fatal accident
A fatal accident in which the driver of a Tesla Motors Inc Model S car operating in Autopilot mode was killed in a collision with a truck has prompted an investigation by federal highway safety regulators, the US government and Tesla disclosed on Thursday.
US opens investigation in Tesla after fatal crash in Autopilot mode