Automated systems

● Combined software and hardware to design something without requiring human

intervention
●
○ Sensors-Input devices that take devices from their surroundings and then sends
to the microprocessor, if data is analogue dta, it goes through a process from the
Analogue to Digital converter
○ Microprocessor-The microprocessor processes the input sent from the sensor,
then compares with preset values, and it may/may not be sent to the actuator
○ Actuator- it turns electrical signals from the microprocessor and then outputs, for
eg:movements
● Applications:
○ Transport:
■ Autonomous cars use sensors,microprocessors,cameras and actuators
to carry out their actions safely
■ Microprocessor processes the data received from the cameras and
sensors and then actuators are given instruction to for eg:
● Change the gear
● Apply brakes
● Turn on steering wheels
■ Advantages:
● Safer as it is unlikely to cause accidents
● Safer for the environment as vehicles are more likely to operate
more efficiently
■ Disadvantages:
● Very expensive to set up
● Hackers can be able to hack the software of the car
○ Agriculture:
■ Sensors Are used to detect at which times are good for harvesting
■ Microprocessor detects the exact location for harvesting
■ Actuators are used for the extraction of goods from the ground
● Advantages:
● Chemicals can be provided accurately , for eg: Fertilizers, this is
important for the success of farming
● When crops about to die , may feed it water until it survives
● Disadvantages:
● May cause unemployment as now farmers lose their jobs because
they are instead replaced by automation
● It is very expensive
○ Weather
■ Automated monitoring of weather conditions in airports help to prevent
poor flying conditions
■ Microprocessor are able to warn as a result of the gathered data
 ■ Actuator issues a warning through any means for eg: lighting wherever
required

● Advantages:
○ Information to air traffic controllers are provided when
needed
○ Can create awareness to the general public easily about
the upcoming weather conditions
● Disadvantages:
○ Information may be incorrect about the weather
○
○ Gaming
■ Sensors allow users to interact with the game using their controllers or
whatever device they are using , by for eg: accelerometers
■ Microprocessors help to determine the game outcomes and decisions
■ Actuators are used to send signals to the controllers such as;
vibrations,this is done through an accelerometer
● Advantages:
○ The depth of computer generated games helps to develop
games into acting in a human way

● Disadvantages:
○ Reduces interactions with real humans and creates an
almost fictional world to live in
○ Lighting
■ Routines can be present based on human behaviors
■ Light sensors are used to detect ambient light levels, for eg: when it turns
dark
■ Microprocessors run routines based on human requirements
■ Actuators can activate home equipment
● Advantages:
○ Can control light sources automatically
○ Reduced energy consumption(only turned on when
necessary
● Disadvantages:
○ Expensive to set up
○ To ensure consistent performance
○ Science
■ Sensors detect changes in environmental conditions
■ Microprocessors can carry out required alterations to the experimental
settings
■ Actuators can turn on: heaters, coolers or water supplies when needed
● Advantages
○ MORE CONSISTENT RESULTS
 ○ LESS DANGEROUS
○ FASTER RESULTS
● Disadvantages:
○ Flexible than using human technicians
○ Equipment can be expensive

Robotics

Features:
● They have the ability to sense their surroundings:
○ Use sensors and cameras as an input for the robot
○ The sensor data is sent to the microprocessor
● They have a degree of movement:
○ Use of for eg: wheels to carry out functions such as turning left/right
○ Uses end effectors
○ Contains many electrical components
● Must be Programmable:
○ Have a controller that determines the actions that need to be taken to carry out
the task effectively
○ Controllers are programmable so that the robot is able to do various things

Types of robots:

DEPENDANT:
● Have no direct human control
● Replaces human tasks totally
INDEPENDANT:
● Has a human interfacing with the robot
● Can supplement rather than replace humans

Applications of robots:
Industry:
● Spraying paint on car bodies
● Building electrical goods
Advantages of robots in industry:
● Robots can work in conditions that may be “Hazardous” to humans
● Robots can work 24/7 and doesn't stop
Disadvantages Of robots in industry :
● Risk of deskilling
● Can lead to unemployment

Transport:
● Autonomous cars, vans, trains
Advantages of robots in Transport
● Safer for humans as it reduces the number of accidents
● Good for the environment as the cars will now operate efficiently
Disadvantages :
● Very expensive
● Hackers can hack into the control system

Agriculture:
● Harvesting
● Weed control
● Phenotyping-observing plant growth

Advantages:
● More accurate as it is less likely to damage the crops
● Less labor needed
● Less waste of seeds as plant health can be monitored
Disadvantages:
● Expensive to setup initially while also being expensive to maintain
● Risk of cybercriminal hacking into the system

Medicine:
● Surgical procedures
● Monitoring patients
● Disinfecting rooms
● Prosthetic limbs

Advantages:
● Operations can be quicker and safer to carry
● Leaves doctors and surgeons being able to do more complex task
● Prosthetic limbs can now mimic human limb movement
Disadvantages:
● Very expensive to set up and maintain
● Hard to disinfect robots before procedure
● Some people may be reluctant to continue with robotic surgical procedures

Domestic robots:
● Autonomous vacuum cleaners
● Autonomous grass cutters

Advantages:
● More than one task completed at a time
● Leave people free for doing other stuff
● Can be operated remotely
● Can be programmed to do a particular task at a particular time of the day
Disadvantages:
● Expensive devices to buy initially
● Battery life may be short
● Unable to deal with unusual circumstances

Entertainment:
● Theme parks
● Arenas
● Film industry

Advantages:
● Greater realism to theme park characters
● Better realistic animations
Disadvantages:
● Very expensive to maintain
● Risk of deskilling

Artificial Intelligence

Narrow AI- A machine that superior than a human in doing one task
General AI- a machine that is similar but not superior to a human in one task
Strong AI- a machine that is superior than a human in doing various tasks

Expert system:
● A form of AI trained to mimic human beings . They use knowledge and conclusions to
solve by analyzing responses given by the human , thus making them mimic human
beings
● COMPONENTS:
○ User interface-how the user interacts and communicates with the expert system.
There would generally be button to press to provide your answer
■ Answers are usually either yes /no questions
○ Knowledge base - Stores knowledge about an area of expertise which were
generated from a lot of expert resources
■ Repository of facts
■ Collection of objects and their attributes
○ Inference engine
■ Acts as a search engine
■ Responsible for gathering information of users by asking series of
questions
■ It acts as the problem solving part of the expert system
○ Rule base- a set of inference rules by inference engine to draw up a conclusion
 ○ Explanation systems- types of conclusion given:
■ Suggested action to take
■ Accuracy of its prediction
● Advantages:
○ High level of accuracy
○ High level of expertise
○ Very fast response time
● Disadvantages:
○ Only as good as the information entered to the knowledge base
○ User must enter information accurately
○ Very costly and time consuming

Machine learning :
● This is a form of AI that is fed sample data and can go on making predictions
about unseen data . This way data doesn't have to be programmed into the
system
● AI
○ Represents simulated intelligence in machines.
○ Aim is to build machines which are capable of thinking like humans.
● Machine learning
○ The practice of getting machines to make decisions without being
programmed to do so.
● Aim is to make machines that learn through data acquisition, so that they can
solve new problems.