Why hasnt a turntable manufacturer produced a table with automatic tonearm return/shutoff?

@soundman406 

any type of additional mechanation or masses added to the tone arm would/could bring additional methods for coupling noise

Would that argument not also apply to lowering devices, which are attached to the arm base?

Surely end-of-side can be detected in a non-contact way, for example by interrupting a light beam.  These days, even toasters have little motors to raise the crumpets!

I sometimes wish I had something that just raised the arm from the run-out groove.  If a stylus has say 400 hours life, I'd rather keep it for playing music.  Happy for the table to still run

If you can spring $300,000 or so for a Wilson Benesch Table One, you will get lots of remote-control features including start and stop.  You will be able to adjust the VTA from your armchair, and remotely adjust the rotational speed in 100ths of an rpm.

To achieve this, it comes with a dedicated network.

Through the GMT® Control APP, users can finely tune various parameters to tailor their listening experience to their preferences. This includes adjusting the speed of the OMEGA Drive to accommodate different record formats, with the ability to fine-tune the speed in incredibly precise increments of 0.01 RPM. Users can also easily start and stop the OMEGA Drive, as well as lift and lower the GRAVITON® Ti Armwand with precision.

Furthermore, the GMT® Control APP enables users to adjust the PIZEO VTA System with remarkable precision, allowing for micro-level adjustments in 1 nanometer steps. This level of control over critical aspects of a turntable system is unprecedented and it legislates that users can achieve optimal performance and playback quality with unparalleled accuracy.

No wonder some authorities think it is a bargain!