semiautonomous

/ˌsɛmiɔˈtɑnəməs/
adjective
  1. Having some self-government or independence, but still under the control or authority of a larger group or organization.
    • The company's semiautonomous divisions each have their own budgets and decision-making power.
    • The region became a semiautonomous territory, managing its own local affairs while remaining part of the country.
    • Many universities have semiautonomous departments that set their own research priorities.
  2. Operating partly on its own, but still requiring some human control or oversight (especially of machines, software, or vehicles).
    • The drone is semiautonomous: it flies a pre-programmed route but a pilot can take over at any time.
    • The semiautonomous vacuum cleaner can navigate rooms on its own but needs a person to empty its dustbin.
    • Modern cars often have semiautonomous features like lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
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