The components of industrial automation systems with which equipment and processes can be controlled include various types of controllers, hardware drivers, drives, motors, sensors, actuators, power supplies and computers. Drives also represent one of major groups of equipment used in industrial automation. In addition to automation systems, drives are used in simple machines and equipment, multi-axis machines, and HVAC systems (heating, ventilation, air conditioning).
In residential construction, automation components, controls and drives are mainly applied for operating external blinds, heating, ventilation or lighting systems, forming smart homes when interfaced with other building management systems.