A little gem from 1988 talking about automation, way way before self driving cars...
It is at this point that you have this relatively new choice: either
to discipline the people or to substitute for the unreliable humans a
delegated nonhuman character whose only function is to open and close
the door. This is called a door-closer or a "groom." The advantage is
that you now have to discipline only one nonhuman and may safely leave
the others (bell-boys included) to their erratic behavior. No matter
who they are and where they come from-polite or rude, quick or slow,
friends or foes-the nonhuman groom will always take care of the door
in any weather and at any time of the day. A nonhuman (hinges) plus
another nonhuman (groom) have solved the hole-wall dilemma.