Chapter 6 Automated and Emerging Technologies

Automated Systems

What is an automated system?

 An automated system is a computer system that collects information and

can react and perform tasks based on the data
 Automated systems are made using three components:
o Sensors
o Microprocessors
o Actuators
 A sensor collects information (link here to 3 Sensors) and provides the microprocessor with
it as an input
 A microprocessor processes the information and makes decisions based on pre-
programmed rules
 An actuator makes physical changes based on instructions given by the microprocessor
(outputs)
 Examples of physical changes include:
o Opening/closing a door/valve
o Activating an alarm

Advantages & Disadvantages of Automated Systems

 There are general advantages and disadvantages of automated systems

Advantages Disadvantages
Cost - long-term cost saving Cost - short-term expensive to set up
Safer - timely interventions Testing - significant testing must be done before
being used
Safer - keeps humans away from hazardous Security - open to cyber attacks
environments
Efficient - materials and resources Flexibility - will only react to programmed
scenarios
Consistent - results are repeatable Maintenance - needs to be well maintained
Unethical - can result in major job losses
 There are also scenarios where specific advantages and disadvantages are important such as:

Scenario Advantages Disadvantages

Industry  Increased production  High investment costs
 Improved quality control  Job losses

Transport  Less accidents & traffic  Transportation drivers lose jobs

congestion  Technology reliability
 Increased logistical efficiency

Agricultur  Less manual labour  High start-up costs for equipment

e  Increased crop yield & resource and sensors
management

Weather  Accurate forecasting  Dependence on accurate sensor data

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 Improved early warning systems

Gaming  Personalised experience  Reduced creativity & problem

 AI enhanced opponents add solving for players
challenge  Repetitive gameplay

Lighting  Increased energy efficiency  Lack of human control with light

 Better security with motion- adjustments
activated systems

Science  Faster & more precise  High cost development and

 Reduced risk of human error maintenance
 Potential for algorithm bias

Worked Example

A theme park has a game where a player tries to run from the start to the finish without getting wet.

The system for the game uses sensors and a microprocessor to spray water at a player as they run
past each sensor.

Describe how the sensors and the microprocessor are used in this system [8]

Answer
 A motion sensor collects data [1]
 This data is converted to digital using ADC [1]
 The sensor sends data to the microprocessor... [1]
 ... where the data is compared to stored data [1]
 If the value is outside range, water will be sprayed [1]
 A signal is sent to the actuator to spray water [1]
 If the value is within range no action is taken [1]
 This runs in a continuous loop [1]

Robotics

What is robotics?

 Robotics is the principle of a robot carrying out a task by following a precise set of
programmed instructions
 Robots can be categorised into two groups:

Dumb robots Smart robots

Repeat the same programmed instructions over and Carries out more complex tasks and can adapt
over again (no AI) and learn (AI)
E.g. Car assembly line E.g. Assisting surgeons in delicate procedures
 The development of artificial intelligence, including the increased use of machine learning
and robotics raises ethical and legal issues such as:
o Accountability

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o Safety
o Algorithmic bias
o Legal liability

Characteristics of a Robot

What are the characteristics of a robot?

 Robots share three common characteristics:

o Mechanical structure
o Electrical components
o Programmable

Mechanical structure Electrical components Programmable

A physical body that can move and Sensors, microprocessors Designed to follow a precise
interact with the environment and actuators set of instructions

The Role of Robots

What is the role of robots?

 Robots play a crucial role in many areas such as:

Scenario Role Advantages Disadvantages

Industry Quality Advanced vision to inspect May not work on defects that
inspector products for defaults, might require human judgement
improving quality control
Transport Warehouse Efficiency in finding, moving High infrastructure costs and
worker and packing, less reliable on potential safety concerns for
manual labour human workers sharing the same
space
Agriculture Planting & Precise planting (optimum High upfront costs, may struggle
seeding machine depths and distances) with uneven terrain and
changing weather conditions
Medicine Rehabilitation Personalised physical therapy Doesn't provide emotional
therapist exercises to aid recovery support
Domestic Sous chef Assists with meal prep by Limited ability and capabilities
doing basic duties (chopping,
measuring and following
basic recipes)
Entertainmen Educational Interactive learning High cost, cannot replace the
t robot experiences for children, guidance of human teachers
increased engagement

Worked Example

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A company uses robots in its factory to manufacture restaurant tables and chairs
(i) One characteristic of a robot is that they contain electrical components.
State two other characteristics of a robot. [2]
(ii) Give two advantages to company employees of using robots to manufacture tables and chairs.
[2]
(ii) Give one disadvantage to the company’s owners of using robots to manufacture table and chairs
[1]
Answers
(i)
 Mechanical structure
 Programmable
(ii)
 Employees don't need to lift heavy items
 Employees can be protected from dangerous tasks
 Employees can utilise their skills in other tasks
 Employees don’t need to perform repetitive/mundane tasks
(iii)
 Expensive to install/purchase/setup
 High ongoing costs/maintenance costs
 May deskill the workforce
 If they malfunction, production may stop

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

What is artificial intelligence?

 Artificial intelligence (AI) is a machine that can simulate intelligent behaviours similar to
that of a human
 AI is a system that can:
o Learn - acquire new information
o Decide - analyse and make choices
o Act autonomously - take actions without human input
 There are two main types of AI:
o Weak AI, also known as narrow AI, is designed to perform a specific task or set of
tasks
o Strong AI, also known as artificial general intelligence (AGI), is designed to perform
any intellectual task that a human can do

Advantages and disadvantages of AI

Advantages Disadvantages
Increased efficiency Job losses
Increased accuracy Potential for biased decision making
Scalability Ethical concerns over its use

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Characteristics of AI

 AI shares three common characteristics:

o Collection of data
o Rules for using data
o Ability to reason

Collection of data Rules for using data Ability to reason

AI systems require large amounts of AI systems can use logical It can change its
data to perform tasks reasoning to evaluate information own rules and data
and make decisions based on that
The data is processed using rules or information
algorithms that enable the system to
make decisions and predictions

Expert systems

What is an expert system?

 An expert system mimics human knowledge and experience and uses a combination of the
two to solve problems or answer questions
 Examples of expert systems include:
o Equipment troubleshooting and repair
o Technical support
o Medical diagnosis system
 Expert systems share four key characteristics

Knowledge base Rule base Inference engine Interface

A database of facts A set of rules or logic A program that applies A way for users
to generate that is used to apply the the rules in the rule to interact with
rules that are used to knowledge in the base to the facts in the the system and
solve problems knowledge base to knowledge base to provide input
and make decisions specific problems solve problems
Advantages and disadvantages of expert systems

Advantages Disadvantages
Consistent results Only as good as the data entered
Faster responses Responses can be cold and lack human emotion
Can store large amounts of data Requires training to use correctly
Unbiased

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Machine Learning

What is machine learning?

 Machine learning is one method that can help to achieve an artificial intelligence (AI)
 By giving a machine data so that it can 'learn over time' it helps towards training a machine
or software to perform a task and improve its accuracy and efficiency
 Uses algorithms to analyse data and identify patterns or relationships

Worked Example
Describe the characteristics of AI [3]
Answer
Any three from:
 Collects data
 Stores rules for using the data
 The ability to reason
 The ability to learn // uses machine learning
 … by adapting what it does
 … for example, from mistakes to not make them again // result from previous decisions
impacts future
 … by changing its own rules
 …by changing its own data
 …by being trained
 Makes one or more predictions (to make a decision)
 Find/analyse patterns

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