What essential element is required to control speed and direction in an open-loop control system?

In an open-loop control system, a human operator plays a crucial role in controlling speed and direction. Unlike closed-loop systems, which rely on feedback to adjust and maintain the desired output automatically, open-loop systems operate without any feedback mechanisms. This means that the system executes commands based solely on pre-defined inputs without adjusting for any changes in the environment or performance.

The human operator is responsible for manually inputting the necessary commands and making real-time adjustments as needed. This ensures that the speed and direction are set and modified as intended, depending on the operator's observations and judgments. This reliance on human intervention is what defines the open-loop system's operational framework, emphasizing the operator's importance in influencing and managing the system's behavior.