自动化控制（英语：automation control）属于自动化技术的一门，广义来说，通常是指不需借着人力亲自操作机器或机构，而能利用动物以外的其他设备组件或能源，来达成人类所期盼运行的工作。更狭义地说即是以生化、机电、电脑、通信、水力、蒸汽等科学知识与应用工具，进行设计来代替人力或减轻人力或简化人类工作进程的机构机制，皆可称之。

自动控制是相对人工控制概念而言的。指的是在没人参与的情况下，利用控制装置使被控对象或过程自动地按预定规律运行。自动控制技术的研究有利于将人类从复杂、危险、繁琐的劳动环境中解放出来并大大提高控制效率。

Automatic control is the application of control theory for regulation of processes without direct human intervention. In the simplest type of an automatic control loop, a controller compares a measured value of a process with a desired set value, and processes the resulting error signal to change some input to the process, in such a way that the process stays at its set point despite disturbances. This closed-loop control is an application of negative feedback to a system. The mathematical basis of control theory was begun in the 18th century, and advanced rapidly in the 20th.