Cambridge University Press

978-1-108-69806-1 — Cambridge IGCSE® ICT Coursebook with CD-ROM Revised

Edition Victoria Wright , Denise Taylor
Excerpt
More Information

Chapter 1:
Types and components of computer systems 1

Learning objectives
When you have finished this chapter you will be able to:
■ define the physical components of hardware for a computer system, including identifying internal hardware devices
■ identify external hardware devices and peripherals
■ define software as programs for controlling the operation of a computer or processing of electronic data
■ define applications software
■ define and describe system software and describe operating systems which contain a command line interface (CLI) and a
graphical user interface (GUI)
■ describe the central processing unit and its role
■ describe internal memory, i.e. ROM and RAM and the differences between them
■ define input and output devices and describe the difference between them, as well as secondary/backing storage
■ describe and compare the characteristics and uses of a personal/desktop computer and a laptop computer, as standalone and
networked computers
■ describe the characteristics and uses of tablet computers and smartphones, including their ability to use wireless technology or
3G/4G technology
■ describe how emerging technologies are having an impact on everyday life.

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press
978-1-108-69806-1 — Cambridge IGCSE® ICT Coursebook with CD-ROM Revised
Edition Victoria Wright , Denise Taylor
Excerpt
More Information

There are many different types of hardware components,

Overview even inside a mobile phone. Just because it is inside the
Information and communication technology (ICT) is used phone casing, doesn’t mean that you couldn’t touch it if
almost everywhere. This chapter will help you to learn and you took off the case off! Therefore, it is still hardware.
to understand what different ICT systems can do and what
their effects on society are. Computer software is the opposite: you cannot touch it.
Software is a set of instructions for a computer to make it
First, you will learn about hardware and software and the perform certain specific operations. You need hardware
difference between them; next you will look at the and software for a computer system to work.
hardware components of a computer system, then at
some of the different operating systems. Finally, you will
consider emerging technologies and the type of impact Desktop and laptop computers
they have on everyday life. A desktop computer usually has a computer case and a
separate monitor, keyboard and mouse. It is called a
desktop as that is normally where it is placed. There are
also desktop computers, known as ‘all in ones’, where
the computer part is in the same case as the monitor.
Neither type is very portable.
A laptop computer has the same components as a
desktop, but the computer, monitor, keyboard and a
touchpad are integrated into a single, portable unit. In
Section 1.04 later in this chapter this will be discussed in
more detail.

Hardware components
The computer case contains many of the other hardware
Figure 1.01 Typical computer system
components; it can come in various shapes and sizes, but
typically as a tower.
The computer case contains the motherboard on which
other components are mounted, such as the CPU, the
1.01 Hardware and software main memory and expansion slots for other hardware
There are two main components of any computer components, and the internal hard disk drive, which is a
system, such as the typical system shown in Figure 1.01: mass storage device that is used to store data files and
the hardware, and the software. In this section you will software applications; there can also be an optical disk
identify the physical parts of the hardware and explore drive which makes it possible to read from and write to
the difference between application software and CDs and DVDs.
system software. Other hardware components typically found inside a
Computer hardware consists of the physical parts of a computer case are a sound card, a video card and a
computer system, the parts that are tangible, (that you can cooling mechanism, such as a fan.
touch). This includes the computer case, screen, keyboard, A computer system also needs input devices, such as a
mouse, printer, pen drive, and also all the parts inside the keyboard and a mouse or a touchpad (also known as a
computer case, for example components such as the hard
disk drive, motherboard or video card. trackpad) so that the user can interact with the
computer via the interface. A display device such as a
KEY TERMS monitor is also needed.

Motherboard: a printed circuit board that allocates power to Most computer hardware is divided into several types
the CPU, RAM and other hardware components, and allows of devices:
them to communicate with each other.
• An input device is used to put data into the
2
computer.

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambrid

 Cambridge University Press
978-1-108-69806-1 — Cambridge IGCSE® ICT Coursebook with CD-ROM
Revised Edition Victoria Wright , Denise Taylor
Excerpt
More Information

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

Input devices can also be referred to as peripherals In order to understand how these calculations actually get
and the more common ones are: keyboard, mouse, carried out, a little bit of knowledge about the binary
touchpad, microphone, bar code readers, scanner, number system is needed.
digital camera, joystick. The binary number system is made up of only 0s and 1s
CD ROM andPower cables
is used in computing to represent whether a switch is
• A processor does something with the data given by
the input device. ‘on’ or ‘off’. Think of a light switch with a ‘0’ written on the
top and a ‘1’ written on the bottom; when you turn on the
• An output device is used to show the processor’s light switch, it goes from ‘0’ to ‘1’.
results. Output devices may also be called
peripherals and examples would include printers, Computers store and process Power supply
data using binary numbers.
speakers, plotters, projectors and display screens. For example, a computer stores the letter ‘B’ as 01000010.
The data is stored as a series of zeros and ones because the
• A storage device keeps all the data and the software. computer cannot immediately understand words like
CPU fan ‘hello’ or ‘teacher’, or numbers such as ‘49’; it can only
KEY TERMS
understand electrical signals being turned on or off. These
Processor: called
CPUCPU, short for central processing unit. signals can stand for 0 (no signal being sent) or 1 (an
electrical signal). Everything else has to be made up of
(under fan) Motherboard
combinations of the presence or absence of electrical
signals. The name for a single signal unit (a 0 or a 1) is a bit,
Internal hardware devices which is short for binary digit.
The hardware inside the case of a computer (see Figure Video card By
1.02) includes theCase
processor
fan or CPU which is a chip Data cable
attached to the motherboard. The processor makes
complex calculations and logical decisions, executing
computer programs, and also sends instructions to other 3
parts of the computer.
What does the CPU do? Hard drive
A CPU 1.02
Figure is fitted
Theinto a socket
internal on the
hardware motherboard
components of aand it
computer
contains various components: putting a number of these bits together the computer can
• the arithmetic logic unit (ALU), where the calculations represent many different types of data. For example,
occur: 01000001 stands for ‘A’ and 01000010 stands for ‘B’.

• logical operations, including AND, OR, NOT, etc. Notice that the examples of A and B that were given both
contain eight bits. This is because quite often eight bits are
• bit-shifting operations, which means moving or grouped together like this. A group of bits like this is called
‘shifting’ the positions of bits left or right (which is how a byte.
multiplication is performed)
• arithmetic operations to add and to subtract (because KEY TERMS
addition can be used to multiply and subtraction can be
used instead of division). Sound card: this enables the computer to send audio
information to an audio device, such speakers or headphones.
• the control unit (CU), to manage the various
Video card: this is an internal circuit board for displaying
components of the computer; the control unit reads images from a computer onto a screen.
and interprets the instructions from memory and
changes them into signals which activate other parts of
the computer calculations.
Other hardware components
• the cache, to act as high-speed memory where
A video card, also known as a graphics card, can generate
instructions and data can be copied to and retrieved.
images, translate them and output them to a display.
A sound card lets you hear, record and play back sounds.

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambrid

 Cambridge University Press
978-1-108-69806-1 — Cambridge IGCSE® ICT Coursebook with CD-ROM
Revised Edition Victoria Wright , Denise Taylor
Excerpt
More Information

Cambridge IGCSE ICT

The power supply converts alternating current (AC) • Systems software is essential to keep the computer
electricity from the mains supply to direct current (DC) working.
electricity, and then supplies it to the other components.
• Applications software lets you do your day-to-day
4
tasks on the computer. Applications software needs
the operating system to be able to work.
A hard disk drive (see Figure 1.03) is for storing programs
and data. The computer can read from and write to it. KEY TERMS
(When we say ‘read from’, it means being able to open a
Applications software: programs that carry out operations
file from the hard disk and load its contents into memory;
for specific applications such as word processing,
‘write to’ means that we can save to the hard disk.) There spreadsheets or presentations. Applications software cannot
are different types of disk drives but they generally work by run on its own without systems software.
spinning a disk and using a drive head to read/write. For
hard drives a magnetic head is used.
System software
System software may be classified as operating system,
device drivers and utility software.
KEY TERMS

Device driver: a program that controls devices such

as printers.
Command line interface: a way of interacting with a
computer via keyboard input at a prompt on the screen.
Graphical user interface (GUI): an intuitive way of
communicating with a computer through a colourful screen
by clicking on icons using a mouse or trackpad.

An operating system, therefore, provides a platform

Figure 1.03 Hard drive for application programs to run. As a user, one of the
ways you can interact with the operating system is
External hardware devices through a graphical user interface (GUI), such as
Windows; it allows you to enter commands by
There are many external devices available; the ones
pointing at icons or objects that appear on the
usually encountered are keyboard, mouse, trackpad,
screen, and then clicking on them.
printer, scanner.
A different way of interacting with the operating system
QUESTION 1.01 is by using a command line interface (CLI). This allows
the use of commands such as COPY and RENAME for
Make a note of all the external hardware devices your copying files and changing their names. The commands
group can think of. are accepted and executed by a part of the operating
Now explain what the devices on your list do, and make system called the command processor or command line
a note of whether they are input or output devices. interpreter.

Software
The set of instructions that make a computer system work
is called the software. However advanced or expensive the
hardware of a computer system is, it cannot do anything
unless it has instructions that it can follow that make it Figure 1.04 Command line interface showing prompt
work. There are two main types of software:

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambrid

 Cambridge University Press
978-1-108-69806-1 — Cambridge IGCSE® ICT Coursebook with CD-ROM
Revised Edition Victoria Wright , Denise Taylor
Excerpt
More Information

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

Now you know that the operating system creates an General purpose software
interface between you and the hardware, here is a list Here are a few examples of general purpose software
of some of the things that the operating system might applications that you may use in your daily work, and how
also include: they can be used:
• The ability to load programs. • Word processing applications are used to produce
• Device drivers to run hardware peripherals such letters, reports and memos.
as printers. • Database programs are used to store and retrieve
• Linkers: in most programming languages you can information.
break down a large program into different pieces • Spreadsheet applications are used for tasks that involve
of code (or modules), to make the task simpler; calculations or graphs and charts.
the linker puts these modules together so that
• Presentation applications are used to create slide shows
the program can run.
and presentations.
KEY TERMS
• Desktop publishing (DTP) packages are used to produce
Linker: a computer program that takes files generated by a posters, newsletters and magazines.
compiler and then combines them into a single file that can be • Photo-editing software used with photographs from a
executed.
digital camera or a scanned image to edit the image.
Compiler: a computer program that converts source code into
a language that can be understood by a computer. • Video editing software
Utilities: part of the system software that can analyse, • Graphics programs are used for artwork.
configure, optimise and maintain a computer.
• Computer aided design packages are used to produce
detailed designs and plans.

• Utility software, which is programs that help make your • Communications software such as web browsers and
email programs are used to access the internet and 5
computer work more efficiently or that add
functionality. Utilities may include programs such as send and receive email.
antivirus software, backup facilities, disk repair such as • Web page editors are used to create web pages.
a defragmenter, file management, security and • Audio production and editing programs are a common
networking programs. way of producing high quality music at low cost.
• Graphical user interface. • Applet is a little program that can perform interactive
animations or other simple tasks.
• A shell, which is an interface to allow you to access the
services contained in an operating system. • App. (which is short for application) and is usually
associated with use on a smartphone, tablet, or other
• BIOS (basic input and output system). The BIOS mobile device.
translates the operating system commands into action
by the hardware. Without the BIOS the operating Sometimes, general purpose programs (also known as off-
system cannot communicate with the hardware. the-shelf software) are combined into one integrated
package so that they can be bought together. Word
• A hypervisor to let you install more than one operating processing, spreadsheet and presentation programs are
system on a computer if you wish. It can divide the often bundled together in this way.
resources such as the CPU, RAM and so on in the
physical computing environment into two or more Some organisations prefer to have software specially
smaller independent ‘virtual machines’; each virtual written for them so they can have the exact software
machine can run its own operating system, where it features that they need. This type of custom-made
appears as if the virtual machine has its own CPU and software may include applications for payroll, accounts,
RAM. stock control, route planning, the travel industry or
weather forecasting.
• A bootloader, which is a little bit of code that is the first
thing to run when you switch on. It then ‘boots up’ or
starts the operating system.

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambrid

 Cambridge University Press
978-1-108-69806-1 — Cambridge IGCSE® ICT Coursebook with CD-ROM
Revised Edition Victoria Wright , Denise Taylor
Excerpt
More Information

Cambridge IGCSE ICT

QUESTION 1.02 used to control devices such as washing machines, video

players and burglar alarms.
a When you are on the internet, you are using a
specific EXTENSION ACTIVITY 1.01
type of software. What is its generic name?
b Make a list of the advantages of custom-made a Try to list as many other home devices with a
software over off-the-shelf software. microprocessor as you can.
b Investigate the use of microprocessors in
household devices. In what way do they help?
What are the disadvantages?
1.02 The main components of
computer systems Main or internal memory
6 A very important part of a CPU is the main memory. This is
used to store all the data and instructions currently being
In this section you will learn the roles that different
used. The main memory is sometimes called other names,
hardware components perform in a basic computer
such as internal memory, primary memory or immediate
system, in order to understand the differences between
access store (IAS).
them.
The random access memory (RAM) is attached to the
Input and output devices motherboard; it is where software currently in use and
Input and output devices are looked at in more detail in documents that you are currently working on are stored
Chapter 2, but to help you start thinking about them, try whilst you are using them.
the following question.
Read-only memory (ROM) stores instructions for your
QUESTION 1.03
computer to start up when you switch on. The contents
of ROM can’t be changed.
a Create two columns with the labels ‘Input’ and
‘Output’. Now enter each of the following devices KEY TERMS
into the appropriate column.
Random access memory: known as RAM, stores data and
Monitor Projector Digital camera applications while they are being used. It only stores them
Scanner Touch screen Gamepad while the computer is on, but when you turn the computer
off, everything in the RAM is lost. This is known as being
Webcam Modem Joystick
volatile.
Touchpad Trackerball Keyboard Read-only memory: known as ROM, this has data
Microphone Cameras MIDI keyboard preinstalled onto it that cannot be removed. Unlike RAM,
ROM keeps its contents when the computer is turned off. It
Printer Speakers Mouse
is therefore known as being non-volatile.
Plotter Bar code reader Burglar alarm b
Now you have done that, draw a circle around
two of
the words that could be both input and output! CPU ROM
Start up
instructions

Processor
People often use the word ‘processor’ to refer to the
central processing unit (CPU) of a computer. A
microprocessor is a single integrated circuit (chip) that
performs the functions of a CPU. Microprocessors are RAM

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambrid

 Cambridge University Press
978-1-108-69806-1 — Cambridge IGCSE® ICT Coursebook with CD-ROM
Revised Edition Victoria Wright , Denise Taylor
Excerpt
More Information

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

Programms and it do? b What does RAM stand for and what does
data being used
at the moment. it do? c What is the main difference between
ROM and RAM?
d Write an explanation of the difference between
Figure 1.05 ROM and RAM volatile and non-volatile computer memory.

The main memory is volatile. This means that when the

computer is switched off, it will forget everything. So Backing storage
when you next switch on nothing will happen until you A storage device is used to store programs and data when
have reloaded all the programs and the document you the processor is turned off. The programs and data must be
were working on. In order to reload the programs and put back into the processor’s memory when needed for
data, the computer must be switched on and running. use.
This means that when you switch it on, the computer Storage devices are sometimes called backing store,
must already have some software in it so that it can start secondary storage or external storage; these all mean the
up. That startup software is stored in a special type of same thing.
main memory called read only memory (ROM; see
Figure 1.05). ROM cannot be changed, even by switching KEY TERMS
off the power.
backing store: a secondary storage device for data.
ROM would be useless for doing work or running
External storage device: data storage that is separate from the
programs, though, because we normally want to change computer, it usually plugs into a USB port on the computer.
things. If you use a word processor to type up a piece of
Secondary storage device: sometimes called external memory,
coursework for school, then want to check your emails or this is non-volatile memory (does not lose stored data when
play a game, it becomes necessary to change the set of the computer is switched off); an example would be a pen
instructions used by the computer. This couldn’t be done if drive. 7
there was only ROM, because we could not change its
contents. So another sort of memory is needed. 1.03 Operating systems
You have read that the software programs are what ‘bring
This other form of memory is called random access
the computer to life’ and that the software that controls
memory (RAM). All the programs in current use are stored
your computer is called the operating system (OS) or
here, as well as all the data currently in use.
system software.
Think of RAM as a worktop or desk. Before you start work
The OS manages all of the software and hardware of the
you may get out your laptop, your textbook, a notepad and
computer system. However, there are many different types
a pen and put them all onto your desk. This is like starting
of OS. The three most common are Microsoft Windows for
the program you want by clicking on its icon to put it into
PCs, Apple OS X for Macintosh (Mac) computers, and Linux.
RAM; you may then open the file you want, which means
you click on its name and the drive where it is stored to MS Windows comes preloaded on most personal
also put it into RAM. As with the example of the desk, you computers; OS X comes preloaded on all new Mac
now have everything out that you need to do your work. computers; Linux is an open-source operating system
which means that it can be modified and redistributed.
Normally a computer’s RAM is much bigger than its
ROM because it needs to hold far more. However, the ROM
is bigger in some computer systems; these include User interfaces
everyday microprocessor-controlled devices such as The operating system is the set of programs that do all of
washing machines. the things needed to make a computer work. One of its
programs controls what users see on the screen. This is
NOTE: Don’t confuse main memory ROM with a CD ROM or called the interface or (in full) the human–computer
DVD ROM; they are different. interface (HCI).
QUESTION 1.04 you get WIMP. Graphical user interfaces are sometimes
called WIMPs.
ROM and RAM are types of memory found in
computers. a What does ROM stand for and what does

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambrid

 Cambridge University Press
978-1-108-69806-1 — Cambridge IGCSE® ICT Coursebook with CD-ROM
Revised Edition Victoria Wright , Denise Taylor
Excerpt
More Information

Cambridge IGCSE ICT

Pointing using a mouse and clicking on icons is simple to • The user must know all the commands.
do and requires little IT knowledge, so a GUI is an
• The user must be careful not to make any typing errors,
interface that can be used by a young child or by
otherwise the computer will not be able to understand
someone who knows little about computers.
the commands and carry them out.
A command line interface (CLI) is also an interface for
CLIs are used by people like technicians looking after
communicating with a computer (see Figure 1.04).
computer systems. The technicians know the commands
However, this time you have to type in specific commands
and are able in this way to access the whole of the system.
to tell the computer what to do. This is far more difficult
However, someone using a GUI can normally only get to
to use for two main reasons:
places on the system that they have been given icons for.

There are many different types of interface. Which one is b Write down what you have found for each one,
chosen depends on: explaining why they are used in that situation.

• the jobs that the computer has to do c Discuss with members of the class what experience
they may have of different user interfaces.
• the type of user and their abilities.
d What types of user interfaces are used by different
8
people in school? Discuss why they are needed.

You will have seen that a GUI uses graphics to stand for
more complicated actions that the user wants the EXTENSION ACTIVITY 1.02
computer to carry out (see Figure 1.06).
a Try to find out about some more types of interface.
What, for example, is a ‘natural language’ interface?
b Are the type of user and the job that is to be done
the only factors dictating what a computer interface
will look like?
c A washing machine uses a computer processor to
control the wash cycle. What does the user
interface look like? Why is it not a GUI? d
What kind of user interface does a camera
have?

1.04 Types of computer

Figure 1.06 A graphical user interface There are different types of computers that perform
a huge variety of roles. In this section you will learn
Typically, GUIs use icons to represent things that can be about a
done. You can point at the icon on the screen with the variety of computers and you will compare the roles
cursor you control with the mouse. The screen can be that they can perform.
divided into different areas which can have different things
in them; these areas are called windows. Put the four In the 1990s, portable computers became popular
elements (windows, icons, mouse, pointer) together and and became known as laptops. Because they are
more portable than desktops they have many
QUESTION 1.05
advantages for mobile work but they are not as
Many other types of user interface can be used on portable as tablets. Laptops have the power and
computer systems. flexibility of desktops, but because of the weight
and size of a laptop, tablets are far more portable.
a Find out about menu-based interfaces and form-
based interfaces. For a menu-based interface, find an Desktop computers are generally used at fixed
information system at a local train station or bank. For a locations. Both desktop and laptop computers can
form-based interface, look at a typical website for be connected to a network. Imagine if you had one
booking a hotel room. or more computers or laptops, you could create a
home network so that you would only need one

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambrid

 Cambridge University Press
978-1-108-69806-1 — Cambridge IGCSE® ICT Coursebook with CD-ROM
Revised Edition Victoria Wright , Denise Taylor
Excerpt
More Information

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

printer; it would also mean that you can share files with connection. If, however, you need to keep up to date
other computers on the network. You will read much with emails when you are out and about, a 3G or 4G
more about computer networks in Chapter 4. version will be necessary. Then you can browse the
internet even when you cannot find any convenient
Tablet computers became a mass-market product in
WiFi hotspots.
2010. A tablet is a computer that is internet-enabled and
small enough to be handheld. It has a touch screen A smartphone is a multifunctioning mobile phone.
display with the circuitry and battery together in a single Packed into its tiny case can be a camera, a web
unit. It can also have sensors, cameras, a microphone and browser, a high-density display, a lot of storage space, a
a speaker. Tablets can run application software, generally micro SD card slot and a touch screen. Like the tablet,
known as ‘apps’. Tablets are simple to use as well as you can download apps and access the internet quickly;
being light to carry around; they provide you with access you can use a smartphone for email, browsing the
to the internet and apps very quickly after turning on. internet, playing music and watching movies (even
though the screen is rather small). You can also use it
Although all tablets can connect to the internet using WiFi,
for GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation, and
you can also get tablets that let you use 3G or 4G mobile
speech recognition (which helps the fact that the
internet connections. This type of tablet is often described
keyboard is rather small to use quickly); it also has a
as cellular. The disadvantage of this is the added cost: the
camera and camcorder capabilities.
initial price to buy the tablet will be greater, as well as
having to pay a monthly amount for the service. A smartphone, like a tablet, uses cut-down applications,
known as apps, which are available for almost every
If you have WiFi at home then you can browse the internet
subject area you can think of: medical and fitness
on your tablet, as you can anywhere else that WiFi is
monitoring, star recognition, word processing,
available. For many, WiFi-only tablets are sufficient
spreadsheets and charting, playing games; the list is
because you can download content onto your tablet that
endless.
you can use if you are going to be away from a WiFi
9
a b

Figure 1.07 Portable computing: (a) a laptop (b) a tablet

Not all tablets, smartphones and laptops have the same specifications but the table below shows possible advantages and
disadvantages that they may have.
Devices Advantages Disadvantages Main uses

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambrid

 Cambridge University Press
978-1-108-69806-1 — Cambridge IGCSE® ICT Coursebook with CD-ROM
Revised Edition Victoria Wright , Denise Taylor
Excerpt
More Information

Cambridge IGCSE ICT

Tablets Quick to turn on Can be expensive Portable entertainment

Portable Not all have expandable memory. Some lack Web browsing
Easy to use cellular connectivity or have expensive contracts Games
Lots of apps to choose from Amount of battery life Reading
Ability to transfer data Speed of data transfer and compatibility Email
Video calls
Smartphones Pocket sized Small screens can make reading difficult Multifunctional device
Can make calls, and send Web browsing can drain the battery quickly you can easily keep
texts and emails Typing on a small touch screen may be slow with you
3G/4G connectivity to Amount of battery life
access the web from most Speed of data transfer and compatibility
places
Lots of apps available
Ability to transfer data
Laptops Excellent for work functions Larger and heavier than a tablet or smartphone Using applications
Full-size keyboard Slower to start than tablets software of all types
Very large storage capacity Amount of battery life
Personal Easy to upgrade Not portable Work and home
computers Usually have a larger screen Take up a lot of space applications
than a laptop Watching TV and films
Table 1.01 Summary of computer types Machines that are programmed to think and act in part as
human beings are already affecting our lives in many ways.
The advantages and disadvantages of each type of There are already robotic cleaners available for home use
computer are summarised in Table 1.01. that can clean floors and carpets and manoeuvre
QUESTION 1.06
themselves around furniture and other obstacles. Some of
the other examples of emerging technologies described in
a Look at Table 1.01 and make a note of any more this section also include aspects of artificial intelligence.
advantages or disadvantages you can think of for
smartphones and for tablets.
Driverless cars
b Explain the context where each of the four computer Driverless cars are guided by GPS, WiFi and spatial laser
types discussed above would be used, and who would sensors (see Figure 1.08). A car without a driver? What
use it.

1.05 Impact of emerging

technologies
Artificial intelligence
10

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems that

are able to perform tasks that would normally be carried Figure 1.08 A driverless car
out by humans or where a task is too dangerous or boring
and repetitive to be done by humans. Therefore AI needs
to be able to react like humans. Examples of this are voice
recognition and language translation, but there are many
more applications to consider.

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambrid