Premature infants frequently present with respiratory instability, which is associated with fluctuations in ventilation and gas exchange. Adjustment of respiratory support to the infant's needs is limited by staff availability and workload. Hence, automation is being explored as a way to improve the care of the premature infants. New modes of automatic respiratory support are being developed and becoming available for clinical use in preterm infants. These modes are expected to compensate for some of the limitations that presently exist in the conventional forms of respiratory support. Available evidence and preliminary findings are promising, but further investigation is needed to determine the effects of these modalities on the long-term outcome of preterm infants.