©2026 Automation.com, a subsidiary of the International Society of Automation.
-
ISA provides technical resources and standards to help industrial automation professionals advance their careers and the field. We enable automation professionals worldwide to solve problems and enhance their skills by bringing people together to create new technologies and share best practices with future automation professionals.-
ISA Resources
-
Upcoming Events
-
Industry Insights
-
Consortia
-
Otto Mation Comic Series
Meet Otto Mation!
Little Otto Mation was born with a rare gift called the C.A.P. (Certified Automation Professional), which is an objective assessment and confirmation of skills as an automation professional offered by the International Society of Automation (ISA). Those of us in the automation profession have studied and worked for years to earn the C.A.P. Follow the life of Otto through this unique comic series.
This month’s comic
Take a look at this month’s comic. If you think of a good caption, send it on over to us!
Meet Otto Mation!
Little Otto Mation was born with a rare gift called the C.A.P. (Certified Automation Professional), which is an objective assessment and confirmation of skills as an automation professional offered by the International Society of Automation (ISA). Those of us in the automation profession have studied and worked for years to earn the C.A.P. Follow the life of Otto through this unique comic series.
310 Results Found
-
ComicOtto Mation Comic - September 25, 2013
Otto shows IT a few "complicated" dashboards he developed with web-based software tools. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - September 18, 2013
Otto encourages the engineers to leverage IT technology for control applications. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic Caption Contest - August 28, 2013
Congratulations to our winner! The winning comic caption was submitted by Sam R. in California. "It's Si-Borg!" Note: If you don't watch Duck Dynasty, you won't understand the caption. Background - "Si" (Silas Robertson) is the goof-ball, red-neck brother of the founder of the Duck Commander company and also the uncle of the three brothers who currently run the company. -
-
ComicOtto Mation Comic - August 14, 2013
Otto introduces the team to a new high-speed, lightweight data historian. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - August 7, 2013
Otto pitches idea for new reality TV show to television executive. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - July 31, 2013
Otto's colleagues give him an idea on how to raise more awareness for the automation profession. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - July 24, 2013
Otto meets with suppliers to outline requested features for a new automation architecture. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - July 17, 2013
Otto's manager buys 'Big Servers' to handle the 'Big Data' problem at the plant. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic Caption Contest - June 19, 2013
Congratulations to our winner! The winning comic caption was submitted by Rich Merritt in Iowa. "Forget Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics. The new ANSI Collaborative Operation Standard R15.06-2012 says I can't hurt you. It doesn't stop me from fooling around, though." -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - June 12, 2013
Otto explains to IT why they can't be trusted to create usable information dashboards. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - June 5, 2013
Otto discovers that Manuel failed to hire a CSIA-certified systems integrator. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - May 29, 2013
Otto asks management to help present operators with more meaningful information from the automation systems. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - May 22, 2013
Otto explains the advantages of their new collaborative robot to Manuel. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - May 15, 2013
Otto explains the dangers of outsourcing engineering to his management team. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - May 8, 2013
There is something weird, and it don't look good. Who ya gonna call? -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - May 1, 2013
Otto explains to management why it's going to take some time to get to Industry 4.0. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - April 24, 2013
Otto discovers why the company hasn't been able to improve manufacturing processes in the last 20 years. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - April 17, 2013
Manuel uses the skills that Otto taught him to wreak havoc with the robots. -
-
ComicOtto Mation Comic - April 3, 2013
Manuel agrees to be mentored by Otto to become an Automation Engineer. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - March 20, 2013
With Spring just around the corner (yeah, right), Otto wants to step back and re-evaluate their automation systems. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - March 27, 2013
Management asks Otto to mentor Manuel to be a productive automation engineer. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - March 13, 2013
Manuel tells Otto about the industrial accident that turned him against automation. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - February 20, 2013 - Caption Contest
Otto and Manuel duke it out in the ring. Congratulations to our winner! The winning comic caption was submitted by Michael Winters in Illinois. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - February 13, 2013
Otto realizes why the U.S. is behind other countries when it comes to automation. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - February 6, 2013
Otto tells Manuel about a global, redesigned website focused on automation. -
-
Comic
Otto Mation Comic - January 23, 2013
Otto explains the fault in 60 Minutes piece and Manuel vows to fight W.A.D. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - January 16, 2013
Otto meets his parallel nemesis Manuel Operatus. This comic idea was submitted by Chris Vogel in Florida. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - January 9, 2013
Otto explains the "advantages" of a mobile HMI to an engineer. Comic idea submitted by Ouliana Nikolaeva in Belgium. -
-
ComicOtto Mation Comic - December 12, 2012
Otto suggests that the plant institute a formal predictive maintenance program. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - December 5, 2012
Otto discovers a way to remotely diagnose problems at plant sites. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - November 14, 2012 - Caption Contest
Congratulations to our winner! The winning comic caption was submitted by Clayton Shaw in Texas. -
-
-
-
-
ComicOtto Mation Comic - October 10, 2012
Otto talks with manufacturers about skilled workforce shortage. -
-
ComicOtto Mation Comic - September 12, 2012 - Comic Caption Contest
Congratulations to our winner! The winning comic caption was submitted by Patrick Kulas in Wisconsin. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - September 5, 2012
Otto suggests reorganization of top colleges to cut education costs. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - August 29, 2012
Otto recruited to help develop better curriculum for top-rated colleges. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - August 22, 2012
Otto explains the harsh realities of using USB on the factory floor. -
ComicOtto Mation Comic - August 15, 2012
This comic strip caption was submitted by Jack Smith in Illinois. Air Force One to be equipped with latest Otto Pilot. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - August 8, 2012
Otto plans to standardize automation systems across all the company's plants. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - July 25, 2012 - Cartoon Caption Contest
The winning caption is... Mr. & Mrs. Mation envision the future Air Force One, complete with "Otto Nation" vanity plates. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - July 18, 2012
Otto introduces government to the idea of sustainable, long-term thinking. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - July 11, 2012
Otto introduces OttoCare services program for manufacturers. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - June 27, 2012
Otto suggests automated fireworks machine to promote Worldwide Automation Domination (WAD). -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - June13, 2012 - Cartoon Caption Contest
Otto Mation cartoon caption contest. Congratulations to our winner! The winning cartoon caption was submitted by Kevin Cole in New Jersey. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - June 6, 2012
Otto proposes use of brain to computer interface on politicians to sense when their useful brain activity stops. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - May 23, 2012 - Cartoon Caption Contest
Congratulations to our winners! The two cartoon caption winners are Jennifer Cole in Ohio and Todd Scott in Texas. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - May 16, 2012
Otto suggests we send a delegation to Hannover Messe so we can learn from Germany. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - May 9, 2012
Otto criticizes management for outsourcing manufacturing IT. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - May 2, 2012
Otto suggests implementation of unifying recipe management system for plants. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - April 25, 2012
Otto meets with supplier salesman to discuss DCS migration. -
-
-
-
-
-
ComicAutomation Cartoons - March 14, 2012
Otto selects Automation True Believers to run WAD campaign. -
-
ComicAutomation Cartoons - February 29, 2012
Otto creates new political party called WAD as platform for presidential bid. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - February 22, 2012
Otto addressing automation engineers on campaign trail for WAD. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - February 15, 2012
Otto explains concept of "low hanging fruit" regarding energy saving opportunities. -
-
-
ComicAutomation Cartoons - January 25, 2012
Otto suggests the development of more application (Use Case) standards. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - January 18, 2012
Otto shows friends how to use The Cloud, suggests manufacturers could use it also. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - January 11, 2012
Otto creates vision system to check homework for errors. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - December 21, 2011 - Cartoon Caption Contest
Congratulations to our winner! The cartoon caption was submitted by Wayne Chastain in Maryland. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - December 14, 2011
Otto in search of low-cost controller for small systems. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - December 7, 2011
Otto helps plant engineers decide on whether to use a DCS or PLC. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - November 23, 2011 - Cartoon Caption Contest
Otto uses CARVE algorithm on Turkey. Caption submitted by Ken Belteau in Texas. -
-
-
-
ComicAutomation Cartoons - October 12, 2011
Otto discusses automation engineer's salary with his Dad (and Mom). -
-
ComicAutomation Cartoons - September 28, 2011
Otto voices his opinion on lack of security layers on plant network. -
-
-
-
ComicAutomation Cartoons - August 31, 2011
Otto to design 'A Day in the Life of Automation' Disney attraction. -
-
ComicAutomation Cartoons - August 17, 2011
Otto wants to go to Disney World before school starts again. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - August 10, 2011
"Management asked for a total cost versus benefit analysis for this plant upgrade." -
-
ComicAutomation Cartoons - July 27, 2011
"Our competitor's new plant has twice the output of our plant." -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - June 29, 2011
"Hmm, I think I just crashed The Cloud by overloading it with data." -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - July 6, 2011 - Cartoon Caption Contest
"WOW!! The Fireworks industry is in the game, that's the best use of AUTOMATION I have seen yet!" -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - June 15, 2011 - Cartoon Caption Contest
Congratulations to our two winners - Mike Wegenka in Wisconsin and Mitch Dolenic in Oklahoma. -
-
ComicAutomation Cartoons - June 1, 2011
"Otto is concerned the end of the world will conflict with his WAD schedule." -
-
-
-
-
ComicAutomation Cartoons - April 27, 2011
"How's an engineer supposed to design an energy optimization control system with all these different energy data standards?" -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - April 20, 2011
"How about Hannover Messe for our next preschool field trip?" -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - April 6, 2011 - Cartoon Caption Contest
"Yesterday there was a homeless person here. I told you automation can replace anybody." This caption was submitted by David Visnich of Burns & McDonnell in Kansas City, MO. -
ComicAutomation Cartoons - March 30, 2011
"Otto is excelling in all of his classes, but we are concerned about his ability to socialize with other students." -
Comic
Automation Cartoons - March 23, 2011
"We’ll accept Otto in our preschool on one condition – he doesn’t correct the teachers when they make mistakes." -
-
Comic
Automation Cartoons - March 9, 2011 - Cartoon Caption Contest
"I'm teaching it to fly fish so I can take it with me on vacation next week." This caption was submitted by David McCune of Leggett & Platt in Carthage, MO. -
Comic
Automation Cartoons - February 23, 2011
"Why can’t you automation engineers design a system that doesn’t make me too hot or too cold?"