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The key difference is that automatic transmissions have torque converters while manual transmissions have clutches. Thus, a transmission featuring a torque converter that can be shifted electronically is a manually shifted automatic while a transmission featuring a cluch that can be shifted electronically is an automatically shifted manual.
The terms "manual" and "automatic" are confusing and really no longer apply.
You have transmissions based on torque converters, and transmissions based on clutches, and each type has different mechanisms for actuating gear changes.
Which is better? Torque converter based trannies are smoother while clutch based trannies shift faster.
The best demonstration of this technology is in Formula 1, where gearboxes shift in milliseconds using clutch-based designs shifted via hydraulics.
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