How did Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR) get its name? What's automated about it?

Answer 1

The short answer is ADR means that the original dialogue for the film is re-recorded by the original actor (or a replacement) in a sound studio. This process is also commonly referred to as "dubbing." "Automated" just means large machines--and is a relatively apt title because the dialouge is recorded in a sound studio with a lot of recording equipment.