New and emerging technology

Question 1

What is automation - pros and cons

Answer 1

• Machinery used to complete tasks that were previously done by humans
• Programmed to carry out a specific task multiple amount of times
• Cost of setup and maintenance is very high
• Less waste is produced and running cost is low

Question 2

What is robotics - pros and cons

Answer 2

• A part of automation
• Robotics uses AI to gather information and improve performance while automation doesn’t
• Cost is very high
• Able to increase efficiency and handle harmful materials that humans can’t

Question 3

Robotics vs automation

Answer 3

• Robotics uses AI to improve efficiency, gather information and improve performance
• Automation carries out task in the exact way that they are told

Question 4

Specialist buildings - pros and cons

Answer 4

• Buildings have improved to use renewable energy to reduce carbon footprint
• Modular buildings can be built quickly and at a low cost
• Improvements in stock control means less storage is needed

Question 5

What is crowdfunding - pros and cons

Answer 5

• Product is advertised on websites where people can choose to invest in it
• More money for company so faster and better quality production
• Investors free-gifts, discounts or parts of the profits
• If product fails then money is lost

Question 6

What is virtual marketing and retail - pros and cons

Answer 6

• Algorithms can generate information about users buying habits and suggest relevant retail sites
• Costs of retailing online is lower than a physical shop
• Less carbon emissions as no physical shop

Question 7

What are cooperatives

Answer 7

• Organisations of lots of people working towards a common goal
• Owned and run by people who share profits, risks and decisions

Question 8

What is fair trade?

Answer 8

• Ensures workers in developing countries are paid a fair wage and provided suitable working conditions
• It is not a legal obligation

Question 9

What are finite resources?

Answer 9

• Resources that will eventually run out
• Popular as they are easily accessible due to strong supply chains
• Companies are reducing the use of finite resources and considering their cabon footprint

Question 10

Problems of waste disposal?

Answer 10

• Waste goes to landfill which releases harmful gases and pollutes surrounding air and soil

Question 11

What is continous improvement?

Answer 11

• The process of continually making small changes to production techniques to improve speed and quality and save resources
• Increases productivity

Question 12

What is technology push?

Answer 12

• Advancement in technology leads to the improvement of existing products or development of new products

Question 13

What is market pull?

Answer 13

• When product ideas are produced in response to market forces or customer needs

Question 14

What has the change in technology and automation lead to?

Answer 14

• A decline in the need for traditional skills
• Workers have had to be retrained or up-skilled

Question 15

What must designers consider when making new clothes?

Answer 15

• Changes in fashion trends due to technology
• Respecting faiths and beliefs

Question 16

Products aimed at physical disabilities

Answer 16

• Ensures that the people can use the product with ease
• Helps to increase independence

Question 17

What has automation led to?

Answer 17

• Increase in skilled workers
• Increased production
• Decrease in job opportunities
• Decreased errors

Question 18

What is CAD - pros and cons

Answer 18

• Computer Aided Design
• The process of making a 2D or 3D design using computer software
• Pros: ideas can be visualised quickly, testing and consumer feedback can be done before production
• Cons: costly, needs a skilled workforce

Question 19

What is CAM - pros and cons

Answer 19

• Computer Aided Manufacture
• The manufacturing of a products using computer controlled machinery
• Pros: fast and accurate production, machine can run constantly
• Cons: expensive to set up, needs a skilled workforce

Question 20

What is FMS?

Answer 20

• Flexible Manufacturing Systems
• A series of different machines producing different parts of a product
• Different points in the manufacturing process can be modified to produce a different quantity or different parts of a product

Question 21

What is JIT- pros and cons

Answer 21

• Just In Time manufacturing
• Materias or parts needed for production are delivered just before they are needed
• Saves money on storage, reduces waste, no money is wasted on stock that remains unsold
• Clients may have to wait for products for longer as certain parts may not be able to be sourced

Question 22

What is lean manufacturing?

Answer 22

• The process of minimising costs and maximising efficiency by cutting down on waste, the amount of materials and energy used in production

Question 23

What is planned obsolesence?

Answer 23

• Deliberately giving a product a short life span so it is required to be replaced
• Bad for the environment as it creates more waste

Question 24

What is design for maintenance?

Answer 24

• Ensuring that a product will have a long life span by using parts that can easily be replaced or repaired

Question 25

What is design for dissambly?

Answer 25

• Ensuring products can be taken apart for responsible disposal such as recycling

Question 26

What is environmental design?

Answer 26

• Designing products by ensuring minimal impact on the environment