Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. It enables efficient, scalable, and resilient app management across cloud and on-premises environments.

Kubernetes automates horizontal scaling by adjusting the number of container instances based on traffic demand. It ensures that your application can handle fluctuations in usage while maintaining optimal performance.

A pod is the smallest deployable unit in Kubernetes, representing a single instance of a running application. Pods can contain one or more containers, which share the same network and storage resources.

Kubernetes uses replication controllers and self-healing mechanisms to ensure that your application remains available. If a container or pod fails, Kubernetes automatically restarts it and redistributes workload to ensure no downtime.

Kubernetes simplifies application deployment using deployments and services. By defining your app in a YAML or JSON configuration file, you can automate the creation, scaling, and management of your app across clusters.