Automated and emerging technologies

• Automated systems


  Use sensors, a microprocessor and actuators
• Automated systems


  1. Sensors detect changes in the environment and convert them into electrical signals

  2. Microprocessors analyse the signals from the sensors and make decisions based on pre-programmed logic

  3. Actuators receive signals from the microprocessor and perform actions
• Automated systems


  • Respond to changes in the environment without human intervention
• Scenarios where automated systems are used


  • Industry
  • Transport
  • Agriculture
  • Weather
  • Gaming
  • Lighting
  • Science
• Advantages of automated systems in industry


  • Reduced labour costs
  • Improved efficiency and accuracy
  • Increased production rate
• Disadvantages of automated systems in industry


  • High initial investment
  • Limited flexibility to changes in production processes
  • Maintenance costs can be high
• Advantages of automated systems in transport


  • Improved safety and reliability
  • Reduced labour costs
  • Improved fuel efficiency
• Disadvantages of automated systems in transport


  • High initial investment
  • May not be suitable for all types of transportation
  • Maintenance costs can be high
• Advantages of automated systems in agriculture


  • Increased efficiency in planting and harvesting crops
  • Improved crop yield and quality
  • Reduced labour costs
• Disadvantages of automated systems in agriculture


  • High initial investment
  • May not be suitable for all types of crops or terrain
  • Maintenance costs can be high
• Advantages of automated systems in weather


  • Improved accuracy in weather prediction
  • Ability to issue warnings in a timely manner
  • Ability to collect large amounts of data quickly
• Disadvantages of automated systems in weather


  • May be affected by external factors like interference or equipment failure
  • May not be 100% accurate all the time
  • May require continuous monitoring and calibration
• Advantages of automated systems in gaming


  • Improved speed and efficiency in game development
  • Ability to create complex and interactive games
  • Reduced labour costs
• Disadvantages of automated systems in gaming


  • May not be suitable for all types of games or game development
  • May require significant programming expertise
  • May be affected by technical glitches or bugs
• Advantages of automated systems in lighting


  • Improved energy efficiency
  • Ability to program lighting to suit different needs
  • Reduced labour costs
• Disadvantages of automated systems in lighting


  • High initial investment
  • May not be suitable for all types of lighting needs
  • Maintenance costs can be high
• Advantages of automated systems in science


  • Improved speed and accuracy in data collection and analysis
  • Ability to carry out complex experiments
  • Reduced labour costs
• Disadvantages of automated systems in science


  • High initial investment
  • May not be suitable for all types of experiments
  • May require significant technical expertise
• Worked example: Theme park game


  1. Motion sensor collects analogue data

  2. Data converted to digital using ADC

  3. Sensor sends data to microprocessor

  4. Data compared to stored data

  5. If value outside range, water sprayed

  6. Signal sent to actuator to spray water

  7. If value within range, no action taken

  8. Runs in continuous loop
• Robotics


  An area of computer science that deals with the creation, design, and operation of robots
• Robots


  • Have a mechanical structure or framework, which gives them a physical body that can move and interact with the environment
  • Have electrical components, such as sensors, microprocessors and actuators, that allow them to receive information from their surroundings and respond to it
  • Are programmable, which means they can be designed to follow a set of instructions or algorithms, allowing them to complete a variety of tasks and respond to changing situations
• Design and Construction of Robots


  1. Robots are designed using a combination of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering

  2. Robotic design can be customised to meet specific needs, such as factory automation or household tasks
• Operation of Robots


  1. Robots need to be programmed to carry out specific tasks

  2. Programming involves creating a set of instructions that tell the robot what actions to perform in a specific sequence

  3. The robot's sensors are used to detect and respond to changes in its environment

  4. Robots can also be operated remotely using a controller
• Factory equipment


  • Robots perform tasks such as welding, painting, and assembling products
• Domestic robots


  • Robots designed to perform household chores such as vacuuming or mowing the lawn
• Drones


  • Unmanned aerial vehicles that can be used for tasks such as aerial photography, delivery, and surveillance
• Roles of Robots


  • Industry
  • Transport
  • Agriculture
  • Medicine
  • Domestic
  • Entertainment
• Advantages of Robots


  • Increased productivity
  • Consistency and accuracy
  • Safety
  • Cost-effective
• Disadvantages of Robots


  • High initial investment
  • Maintenance costs
  • Lack of flexibility
  • Unemployment
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)


  A branch of computer science that involves creating computer systems that can perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence
• Goal of AI


  • Simulate intelligent behaviour in machines, including: problem-solving, decision-making, natural language processing
• Areas where AI is often used


  • Robotics
  • Natural language processing
  • Expert systems
  • Machine learning
• Machine learning


  A subset of AI that focuses on giving computers the ability to learn and improve from data, without being explicitly programmed
• Types of AI


  • Weak AI (narrow AI)
  • Strong AI (artificial general intelligence)
  • Superintelligence
• Weak AI (narrow AI)


  Designed to perform a specific task or set of tasks
• Strong AI (artificial general intelligence)


  Designed to perform any intellectual task that a human can do
• Superintelligence


  A hypothetical AI that would surpass human intelligence in all areas
• Advantages of AI


  • Increased efficiency
  • Increased accuracy
  • Increased scalability
• Disadvantages of AI


  • Potential for job loss
  • Biased decision-making
  • Ethical concerns around its use
• Characteristics of AI systems


  • Collection of data and rules
  • Ability to reason
  • Ability to learn and adapt