autopilot

1. (aviation, nautical) A mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic system used to guide a vehicle without assistance from a human being.Examples: "I set the autopilot to due south, so I could get some rest."countableuncountable

2. (by extension, figuratively) A state of mind where one no longer thinks about doing one's actions, but acts mechanically.Examples: "I've been doing this 12 hours non-stop, and am so hungry and tired that I've stopped thinking: I'm now on autopilot."; "But while the wackiness gets exasperating fast (a running joke about Hazel’s father, played by Ray Romano on autopilot, having a sex doll for a wife is even unfunnier than it sounds), Milioti works overtime to keep us invested."broadlycountablefigurativelyuncountable