It can be automated if your requirements are limited and your expectations are low. I think that's the approach SparkFun are taking here -- aside from power, th

It can be automated if your requirements are limited and your expectations are low. I think that's the approach SparkFun are taking here -- aside from power, the only connections needed are between the components and the microcontroller, so placement is kind of arbitrary, and they leave themselves enough room that even a terrible autorouting job will work.