Chapter 6 Automated And Emerging Technologies: Unit 6.2: Robotics Flashcards
What 3 characteristics must a robot have to be called a robot?
Ability to sense their surroundings
Have a degree of movement
Programmable
Why do most robots not need AI?
Most robots tend to do repetitive tasks rather than requiring adaptive human characteristics
Define independent robots
Independent robots:
Have no direct human control
Can replace the human activity totally
Define dependent robots
Dependent robots:
Have a human who is interfacing directly with the robot
Can supplement, rather than totally replace, the human activity
What are the advantages and disadvantages of robots in industry?
Advantages:
Capable of working in conditions that may be hazardous to humans
Can work 24/7 without break
Less expensive in the long run
More productive than humans
Not necessarily more accurate, but more consistent
Better suited for boring, repetitive tasks than humans
Less cost in heating and lighting
Disadvantages:
Can find it difficult to do ‘non-standard’ tasks
Can lead to higher unemployment amongst manual labour tasks
Risk of deskilling
Factories can be moved to anywhere in the world where operation costs are lower
Expensive to buy and set up in the first place
What are the advantages and disadvantages of robots in transport?
Advantages:
Safer since human error is removed leading to fewer accidents
Better for the environment since vehicles will operate more efficiently
Reduced traffic congestion
Increased lane capacity
Reduced travel times
Stress-free parking for motorists
Disadvantages:
Very expensive system to set up in the first place
The fear of hacking into the vehicle’s control system
Security and safety issues
The need to make sure the system is well-maintained at all times
Driver and passenger reluctance to use the new technology
Reduction in the need for taxis could lead to unemployment
What are the advantages and disadvantages of robots in autonomous trains?
Advantages:
Improves punctuality of trains
Reduced running costs
Improves safety since human error is removed
Minimises energy consumption since there is better control of speed and an optimum service requires less energy
Possible to increase the frequency of trains
Easier to change train scheduling
Disadvantages:
The fear of hacking into the vehicle’s control system
System doesn’t work well with very busy services
High capital costs and operational costs initially
Ensuring passenger behaviour is acceptable particularly during busy times
No drivers mean there will be a need for CCTV to monitor railway stations
What are the advantages and disadvantages of robots in autonomous planes?
Advantages:
Improvement in passenger comfort
Reduced running costs
Improved safety
Improved aerodynamics at the front of the airplane since there would no longer be the need to include a cockpit for the pilots
Disadvantages:
Security aspects if no pilots on-board
Emergency situations during the flight may be difficult to deal with
Hacking into the system
Passenger reluctance to use the new technology
Software glitches
What are the 5 things that robots could be used for in agriculture?
Harvesting/picking of vegetables and fruit
Weed control
Phenotyping
Seed-planting and fertiliser distribution
Autonomous labour-saving devices
Define phenotyping
Process of observing physical characteristics of a plant in order to assess its health and growth
Name 6 uses of robots in medicine.
Surgical procedures
Monitoring patients
Disinfecting rooms and operating theatres
Can take blood samples from patients
Microbots can be used in target therapy
Prosthetic limbs are now mini robots in their own right
Name 3 uses of robots as domestic robots.
Autonomous vacuum cleaners
Autonomous grass cutters
Personal assistants
Name 2 examples of robots being used in entertainment.
Entertainment parks and arenas/venues
Film and TV industry
