Content ‘ew In this chapter you will learn about: Candidates study the following topics: 1 atone ‘Systems Computer systems ibe how sensors, microprocessors ond actuators puter can be used in collaboration to create automated i systems 1 Data representation 'b. Describe the advantages ond disadvantages of on 2. Data transmission ‘automated system used for a given scenario 3 Hardware 2 Robotics 4 Schade Understand what is meant by ro ©. Describe the choracterstics of 0 bot 5_Theinternet and its uses . Understand the roles that robots con perform 7 aoe 7) ang describe the odventoges and disadvantages of ‘Automated ging techni ruse 3 Artificial intetigence Algorithms, programming and logic Understand what is meant by artificial intetigence (A a : 8. Describe the main characteristics of los the 7 Algorithm design and problem-solving gallection of oid ond the rues forusg tt i 1oto, the obilty to reoton, ond con include the obilty 8 Programming toleorn ond adopt 9 Databases Explain the bosie operation ond components of Al systems to simulate inteligent behaviour 10 Boolean logicUnderstand what is meant by robotics ¢ Robotics is a branch of computer science that incorporates the design, construction and operation of robots Examples include factory ott equipment, domestic oe? robots and dronesRobots can be found in: ‘warehouses (outomatic location of items) entertainment (friend robots) welding ports together ‘autonomous flooresweepers unmanned oeriol vehicles (UAVs) ore drones that are either remotely controlled or totally outonomous ‘spray-painting panels on a car ‘autonomous lawn mower using embedded systems fitting windscreens to cars ironing robots {for exomple, ‘dresemon) can be used in reconnaissance (tor ‘@xomple, toking oeriol photogrophs). cutting out metol parts to a high precision | pool cleoning bottling ond labelling plants ‘automatic window cleaners ‘can be used to make parcelCharacteristics of a Robot To be correctly called a robot, they need to have the following characteristics: 1. Ability to sense their surroundings: this is done via sensors (such os light, pressure, temperature, acoustic, and so on) sensors allow a robot to recognise its immediate environment and gives it the ability to determine things like size, shape or weight of an object, detect if something is hot or cold, and so on; all sensor data is sent to a microprocessor or computer.Characteristics of a Robot To be correctly called a robot, they need to have the following characteristics: 2. Have a degree of movement: © they con use wheels and gears to carry out functions such as turning, moving backwards/forwards, gripping or lifting © they are mechanical structures made up of many parts (for example, motors, hydraulic pipes, actuators and circuit boards) = they contain electrical components to allow them to functionCharacteristics of a Robot To be correctly called a robot, they need to have the following characteristics: 3. They are Programmable: © they have a ‘brain’ which is known as a controller. This determines the action to be taken to perform a certain task, for example the controller relies on data sent from sensors or comeras . © these controllers are programmable to allow the robots to do specific tosks,Important Facts to Remembe! + Although artificial intelligence (Al) is part of this topic it has very little to do with robots. Most robots don't possess artificial intelligence (Al) and are not expected to think and learn for themselves. This is because they tend to do repetitive tasks rather than requiring adoptive human characteristics. + It is also important not to confuse physical robots with software robots such as search engine bots or WebCrowlers the internet scanning websites, categorising them for s purposes) chat bots (these ore programs that pop up on websites that ‘oppeor to start a conversation with the web user)Independent and Dependent Robots Physical Robots can be described as either INDEPENDENT or DEPENDENT. . Independent robots: have no direct human control (they ore said to be outonomous, for exomple, the MARS ROVER) can replace the human activity totally (no human interaction is required for the robot to function fully). + Dependent robots: have o human who is interfacing directly with the robot (the human interfoce may be 0 computer or a control panel) © con supplement, rather than totally replace, the human activity (for example, in a car assembly plant where both humons and robots work together to produce 0 cor).Where are robots used? » entertainment ee » science » industrial » medicine (~ 9 »in the home » transport » agricultureRobots in Industry . Robots are used in many industry fields, including heavy lifting work through to delicate procedures. Exomples include: raying of car bodiesRobots in Industry The programming of the robot to do its required tasks is generally done in two ways 1. The robot is programméd with a sequence of instructions which allow it to carry out the series of tasks (an example might include spraying a car body with paint), 2. Alternatively, a human operator manually carries out the series of tasks ond the robot learns where and how to do these specific tasks.Advantage and Disadvantage of Robots in Industry Soo disadvantages: robots are capable of working in conditions that may be hazardous to humans. robots can work 24/7 without the need for stopping ’ robots are more productive than humans robots are less expensive in the long run. (since there will be fewer solories to poy) robots ore better suited to boring, repetitive tasks than humans (therefore less likely to moke mistokes) there will be less cost in heating and lighting {robots don't need good light or warmth) robots can find it difficult to do ‘non-standard’ tasks (for example, windscreen being fitted to a cor is cracked) robots can lead to higher unemployment ‘amongst manual labour tasks there is 0 risk of deskilling when robots toke over certain task (for exomple, welding ond point spraying) factories can now be moved to anywhere in ‘the world where operation costs are lower {leading again to unemployment in some countries) robots ore expensive to buy and set up in the first placeRobots in Medicine res if the potient ho be freed up to do mi fectious dise skilled workRobots in Medicine also ‘* microbots can be used in target therapy: © these use microscopic mechanical components {including microprocessor) to localise a drug or other « therapy to target a specific site causing less damage to surrounding tissue © prosthetic limbs are now mini robots in their own right (since they meet the three characteristics of what defines o robot) © bionic skins and neural implants that interface with the human nervous system (of the damaged limb) giving feedback to allow for better control of the prosthetic limb (again sensors and actuators are used to give human-like responses, such as grip).Domestic robots Robots used around the house vary from devices to carry out household chores through to devices used to entertain people. For exomple: @ autonomous vacuum cleaners: these use proximity sensors and comeros to avoid bumping into obstacles and allows them to cover o whole room automatically these robots have o microprocessor to control the overall operation of the device; this olso allows the user to program the device © actuators ore used to control motors which allow movement forward/backward and from side to sideDomestic robots Robots used around the house vary from devices to carry out household chores through to devices used to entertain people. For example: © personal assistants (such as Vector) this is a robot thot is controlled by 0 microprocessor and also uses cloud connectivity to connect to the internet itis oble to understand voice commands (using « microphone) ond will ‘answer any questions itis asked it also uses an HD camera, providing computer vision, allowing it to recognise somebody's face os well as navigate around 0 room fusing ‘proximity sensors and actuators)t© steer ond ovoid objects in its Woy.Robots used in Transportation Drivertess vehicles ore increasing in number every yeor. These robots are very complex, but the big problem is not really the technology (since problems wil be ironed out through time} it is people's perception. It will toke a large leap of faith for humans to ride in a driverless car or on airplane with no pilot We ore already use autonomous trains in many cities throughout the world, But the systems have been accepted; probably because trains don't overtake other trains ‘and have o very specific track to followAutonomous Cars and Buses Autonomous cars use sensors, cameras, actuators and microprocessors (tog yomming) to carry out their actions safety Sensors (including rador ond ultrasonics) and cameras allow the control systems in cars to perform critical functions and maneuvers by sensing the dynamic conditions on a road. They act as the ‘eyes’ and ‘ears’ of the cor. Microprocessors process the data received from cameras and sensors and send signals to actuators to perform physical actions, such as: » change gear » opply the brakes » turn the steering wheelAdvantage and Disadvantage of Robots in Transport advantages: safer since human error is removed leading to fewer accidents better for the environment since les will operate more efficiently reduced traffic congestion increased lane copocity fespecially on motorways and highways) reduced travel times. stress-free porking for motorists the or wil find cOr porking on its own an then set-pork) disadvantages: it is 0 very expensive system to set up in the first [place (nigh tectrology requitements) the fear of hacking into the vehicle's control system security ond sofety issues (software gitches could be cotastrophic) the need to make sure the system is well-maintained ‘at all times. comeras need to be kept clean so that they ont give folse results, sensors could foto function in heary Showa or blizzard conditions), river and passenger reluctance to use the new technology reduction in the need for taxis could lead to. unemployment