Manned mechanical handling is gradually being augmented by automatic systems, and it is appropriate to review manufacturing processes in this connexion. The principles and use of linear and rotary electromagnetically-coupled measurement transducers giving the required information in the form of a change of phase of an electrical signal are discussed. The extent to which transducers can be used as the basis of automatic systems for point-to-point transportation as, for example, in automatic warehousing is described.