IGCSE Computer Science C6

Describe how sensors, microprocessors, and actuators work together in automated systems

• Sensor: Detects physical quantities (e.g., light, temperature, motion) and converts them into signals.
• Microprocessor: Processes data from the sensor and makes decisions based on programmed instructions.
• Actuator: Carries out a physical action (e.g., switch motor on/off) based on the decision from the microprocessor.

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of automated systems in industry

Advantages: Increases productivity, 24/7 operation

Disadvantages: High initial cost, job displacement

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of automated systems in transport

Advantages: Improves safety and reduces traffic

Disadvantages: Software bugs can cause critical errors

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of automated systems in agriculture

Advantages: Efficient crop monitoring and irrigation

Disadvantages: Sensors may malfunction in harsh weather

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of automated systems in weather

Advantages: Real-time monitoring and forecasting

Disadvantages: Limited by sensor accuracy

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of automated systems in gaming

Advantages: Responsive controls and adaptive AI

Disadvantages: Requires constant software updates

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of automated systems in lighting

Advantages: Energy-efficient and automatic

Disadvantages: May respond incorrectly to environmental changes

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of automated systems in science

Advantages: Precise data collection, automated experiments

Disadvantages: High cost and setup complexity

Understand what is meant by robotics

• Robotics is a branch of computer science involving design, construction, programming, and operation of robots.
• Robots are machines that carry out tasks automatically based on programming.

Describe characteristics of a robot

• Mechanical structure (e.g., arms, wheels)
• Electrical components:
o Sensors (detect surroundings)
o Microprocessors (make decisions)
o Actuators (carry out movement)
• Programmable: Can follow coded instructions

Understand the industry roles of robots and evaluate pros/cons

Roles: Assembly lines, welding, painting

Advantages: Precision, 24/7 work

Disadvantages: High maintenance cost

Understand the transport roles of robots and evaluate pros/cons

Roles: Self-driving cars, drones

Advantages: Reduced human error

Disadvantages: Legal/ethical challenges

Understand the agriculture roles of robots and evaluate pros/cons

Roles: Crop harvesting, soil monitoring

Advantages: Increased efficiency

Disadvantages: Expensive technology

Understand the medicine roles of robots and evaluate pros/cons

Roles: Surgery robots, medicine dispensers

Advantages: Accuracy, reduces human error

Disadvantages: System failure can risk lives

Understand the domestic roles of robots and evaluate pros/cons

Roles: Vacuum cleaners, lawnmowers

Advantages: Convenience

Disadvantages: Limited to basic tasks

Understand the entertainment roles of robots and evaluate pros/cons

Roles: Animatronics, gaming companions

Advantages: Realism and interactivity

Disadvantages: Expensive to produce

Understand what is meant by artificial intelligence

• AI is a field in computer science that focuses on simulating intelligent behaviours using machines.
• AI can reason, learn, adapt, and make decisions like a human.

Describe main characteristics of AI

• Data Collection: Gathers large sets of input data (e.g., customer behavior).
• Reasoning: Uses logic/rules to draw conclusions.
• Learning & Adaptation: Can adjust behavior based on past experiences.

Explain operation and components of AI systems

• Expert Systems uses a knowledge base, rule base, and inference engine to mimic a human expert.
• Machine learning: AI system learns patterns from data and automatically improves without being explicitly programmed

Explain why automated systems are often used in manufacturing.

They reduce human error, operate continuously, increase efficiency, and improve safety by handling dangerous tasks.

Describe how an automated weather station might collect and process data.

Sensors collect data (e.g., temperature, humidity, wind speed), which is converted from analogue to digital, processed by a microprocessor, and stored or transmitted for analysis.

State one disadvantage of using robots in enterprise

They can be expensive to develop and maintain.

Explain how a robot in a hospital could use sensors to navigate safely.

Sensors detect its location and obstacles; the processor uses this data to adjust its path and avoid collisions.

Describe one way an expert system is used in agriculture.

It can analyze soil and weather data to recommend the best time to plant or irrigate crops.