6

CHAPTER
Automated and emerging
technologies
At the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
• Describe how sensors, microprocessors and actuators can be used in collaboration to create automated systems
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of an automated system used for a given scenario
• Understand what is meant by robotics
• Describe the characteristics of a robot
• Understand the roles that robots can perform and describe the advantages and disadvantages of their use
• Understand what is meant by artificial intelligence (AI)
• Describe the main characteristics of AI as the collection of data and the rules for using that data, the ability to reason,
and can include the ability to learn and adapt
• Explain the basic operation and components of AI systems to simulate intelligent behaviour

6.1 Automated systems

An automated system performs actions without the need for human interaction, for example in traffic lights, air conditioning
systems and washing machines. Sensors, microprocessors and actuators work together to create these automated systems.

Exercise 1 Sensors, microprocessors, and actuators

1 Define what is meant by a sensor.

2 Is actuator is an example of an input device or an output device? Tick (✔) the correct answer.

Input device

Output device

58 Automated and emerging technologies

IGCSE_CS_WB_Ch 6.indd 58 28/01/21 9:29 AM

 Chapter 6

3 An office building has an automated lighting system. When an employee walks into their office, the light will automatically
switch on. If no movement is detected in the office for a period of 5 minutes, the light is automatically switched off.

a. What type of sensor could be used in this automated lighting system?

b. The data captured by the sensor is analogue data. What happens to this analogue data?

c. The data from the sensor is sent to the microprocessor. How does the microprocessor process this data and what actions
may this cause?

4 A traffic monitoring system counts the number of cars in a day that use a certain bridge. The count is output on a screen in
an office. It is important that the data is accurate and that the number of cars is correctly counted.

a. Tick (✔) to show the most appropriate sensor that could be used in this traffic monitoring system.

Acoustic

Magnetic field

Light

Flow

Automated and emerging technologies 59

IGCSE_CS_WB_Ch 6.indd 59 28/01/21 9:29 AM

 Chapter 6

b. Describe three benefits of using an automated system for this task.

Benefit 1

Benefit 2

Benefit 3

5 A factory has an automated system to manufacture candles. The solid candle wax is heated to 55 degrees Celsius to turn it
to liquid. The liquid wax is then sent along a pipe at the correct speed to be distributed into glass containers that are then
filled to a level of 250ml.

a. Complete the table with the most appropriate sensor for each part of the automated system.

Automated system task Sensor

Checking the solid wax is heated to 55 degrees Celsius
Checking the liquid wax is sent at the correct speed along the pipe
Checking the level of the liquid wax in each glass container is 250ml

b. List two drawbacks to using an automated system for this task.

Drawback 1

Drawback 2

60 Automated and emerging technologies

IGCSE_CS_WB_Ch 6.indd 60 28/01/21 9:29 AM

 Chapter 6

6.2 Robotics
Robotics is a branch of science that involves designing, building and using robots. A robot is a machine that is designed to
replicate the actions of a human. A robot has three main characteristics.

Exercise 1 Robots

1 What are the three main characteristics of a robot?

Characteristic 1

Characteristic 2

Characteristic 3

2 Can you think of three ways that robots can be used in medicine?

Automated and emerging technologies 61

IGCSE_CS_WB_Ch 6.indd 61 28/01/21 9:29 AM

 Chapter 6

3 The introduction of robots into the transport industry may soon mean that we have access to self-driving cars.

What issues could there be with self-driving cars?

4 Robots are often used in the manufacturing industry. Why do you think this is?

62 Automated and emerging technologies

IGCSE_CS_WB_Ch 6.indd 62 28/01/21 9:29 AM

 Chapter 6

6.3 Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly developing branch of computer science.

Exercise 1 Artificial intelligence

1 Explain what is meant by artificial intelligence.

Automated and emerging technologies 63

IGCSE_CS_WB_Ch 6.indd 63 28/01/21 9:29 AM

 Chapter 6

2 Can you give three examples of artificial intelligence that you may find in a home?

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

3 Tick (✔) to show which of these statements are characteristics of artificial intelligence.

Statement Tick (✔)

AI needs to collect data
AI can learn an adapt
AI needs moving parts and a mechanical framework
AI has a set of programmed rules
AI can invent creations from scratch
AI has the ability to reason

4 What term is used to describe a program that has the ability to automatically adapt to its own processes and data?

5 An expert system is a type of artificial intelligence that is able to provide a level of expertise about a certain subject, similar
to that of a professional such as a doctor or an engineer.

a. Can you name the four main parts of an expert system?

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

64 Automated and emerging technologies

IGCSE_CS_WB_Ch 6.indd 64 28/01/21 9:29 AM

 Chapter 6

b. Choose two of these parts and describe their roles.

Revision checklist

Need to revisit Satisfactory Confident

I can describe how sensors, microprocessors and actuators can be

used in collaboration to create automated systems
I can describe the advantages and disadvantages of an automated
system used for a given scenario
I can understand what is meant by robotics
I can describe the characteristics of a robot
I understand the roles that robots can perform and describe the
advantages and disadvantages of their use
I understand what is meant by artificial intelligence (AI)
I can describe the main characteristics of AI as the collection of
data and the rules for using that data, the ability to reason, and can
include the ability to learn and adapt
I can explain the basic operation and components of AI systems to
simulate intelligent behaviour

Automated and emerging technologies 65

IGCSE_CS_WB_Ch 6.indd 65 28/01/21 9:29 AM