The correct answer is: A. collator
A collator is an electromechanical device that sorts punched cards into ascending or descending order. It does not use a control panel, as it is a simple device that is operated by a series of switches.
A reproducer is a device that punches cards from a paper tape or from another deck of cards. It does use a control panel, as it needs to be able to select the correct card columns to punch.
An interpreter is a device that reads punched cards and converts them into machine code. It also uses a control panel, as it needs to be able to select the correct card columns to read.
A sorter is a device that sorts punched cards into ascending or descending order. It does use a control panel, as it needs to be able to select the correct card columns to sort.
Therefore, the only device that does not use a control panel is the collator.