Unit 7 - Automated systems (add more) Flashcards
What is an automated system?
An automation system is an integration of sensors, controls, and actuators designed to perform a function with minimal or no human intervention.
What does an automated system need to work?
- sensors to detect inputs
- a microprocessor
- output devices such as sirens, lights or actuators
What is an actuator?
Actuators are devices that control the operation of machinery. For instance, they may move a
door or shut a valve on a pipe.
What does a sensor do?
a sensor is a device that detects and responds to some type of input from the physical environment.
What is a microcontroller?
Microprocessors are used to control automated systems. Microcontrollers are often used
in automation. These contain RAM, ROM and
a processor all on one unit
What is done with the data provided from the sensors?
Data from sensors is used as inputs for the microprocessor. The data is processed so that actuators are correctly controlled
What sensors and automations are used in transport?
- Cars: pressure sensor: All cars made after 2014 must have a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). This safety system detects if the tyre has a flat tyre or a slow puncture. It warns the driver so they can stop and get the tyre fixed
- Self driving cars: Fully self driving vehicles are currently used in a small number of places in the world. Many cars are already fitted with abilities such as adaptive cruise control and automatic parking
- Roads: Car cruise control system, motorway signs, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, car parking space monitoring
Railways: Signals, signage, automatic breaking systems, automated train systems, toxic gas sensors in tunnels
Aircraft: Autopilot, air traffic control, systems for check-in, dropping off and collecting baggage
What sensors do cars need for automation or self driving?
The following are likely to be used in
self-driving cars:
- Video cameras
- Radar (Radio detection and ranging – to measure distance)
- Ultrasonic (Uses high-pitched sound to measure distance)
- LiDar (Light detection and ranging – to measure distance)
How does industry use automated system?
to manufacture products or move products around warehouses
Name two examples of industry and
explain how they might use automation
Petrochemicals industry
- This industry uses automation to pump fluids around chemical plants. They are used in the production of fertilisers, chemicals and oil refining into usable fuel
Food industry
- The production of food, packaging and distribution are all automated
How does gaming use automated systems?
Automated systems are essential in gaming
- The program logic, graphics and computer players are all automated
- Various sensors can be located on input devices
- Actuators are able to move seats or simulator cockpits
Give three advantages of automated systems in transport, industry or gaming:
Advantages
- Fewer people need to be employed
- Repetitive tasks carried out with high accuracy and no breaks
- Able to work in dangerous environments (industry)
- More accurate simulation (gaming)
Give three disadvantages of automated systems in transport, industry or gaming:
Disadvantages
- People may lose their jobs or have fewer jobs to apply for
- Automation can be very dangerous if something goes wrong
- It is initially expensive to buy machinery
Name 5 industries that use automated systems:
Industry, transport, agriculture, gaming, lighting, science
Name 4 types of sensor
Ultrasonic, light, button, oxygen, temperature, pressure,…
Name 3 advantages of using automated systems
Fewer people required, work 24 hours a day, are able to work faster/more accurately than people in many tasks
Name 2 disadvantages of using automated systems
High costs to purchase equipment, fewer jobs, mistakes made by machines may be harmful
Name 1 component responsible for processing
instructions in an automated system
microprocessor
Name at least three different areas
where robots are used
Industry – e.g. manufacturing of food and products
Transport – e.g. self driving trains and cars
Agriculture – e.g. sowing, fertilising, harvest and picking
Medicine – e.g. testing and surgery
Domestic – e.g. robot vacuum cleaner and lawn mowers
Entertainment – e.g. toys, robot servers
What are robotics?
Robotics is a branch of Computer Science that incorporates the design, construction and operation of robots
What are the characteristics of a robot?
- They have a mechanical structure or framework
- They have electrical components, such as sensors, microprocessors and actuators
- They are programmable
Do actuators control separate parts of a robots body?
No usually different actuators are assigned to different parts of the body, for example one of one of the legs and a separate on for the arm.
Does a robot have a program in ROM that can’t be change?
Yes
How are robots programable?
Once the robot is made it can be programmed by the user afterwards with buttons or using text
languages or using 3D environments.
Which areas are robots used in the world?
- Industry (economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials and manufacture of goods in factories.)
- agriculture (Agriculture is the art and science of cultivating the soil, growing crops and raising livestock.)
- Medicine
- Automated transport systems
- Domestic robots (Domestic - relating to the running of a home or to family relations.)
- Robots in entertainment
What are some specific examples of robots being used in industry?
- Robots have many uses in industry including making and packing products
- Industrial robots are used in Car manufacture
What are the advantages of using robots?
- They are more accurate
- They are able to work without breaks
- They can work in hazardous environments
What are some specific examples of robots being used in agriculture?
- They may be used in sowing seeds, applying fertiliser or harvesting crops
- GPS helps in navigation of tractors
- Drones may be used to survey fields
What are some specific examples of robots being used in medicine? Why are robots used in medicine?
- Robotic arms are able to make incisions, remove tissue and stitch patients
- Where they are currently used they are monitored by a human surgeon
- Robots are used as they are more accurate and don’t have slight tremors like humans do
What are some examples of robots being used in automated transport systems?
Transport systems are automated to the degree that they can be considered as robots:
- Planes have sophisticated auto-pilot systems that are able to take-off, fly and land the plane
- Many trains, especially light rail networks, (at airports or Docklands Light Railway) do not have drivers
- Self-driving cars are currently in development and already available in some cities
What are some examples of robots being used in domestic life?
Domestic robots are able to carry out many household tasks:
- Robot vacuum cleaners may be programmed
to clean certain areas of a house
- Robot lawn mowers are able to cut allocated areas of lawn in a garden
What are some examples of robots being used in entertainment?
- Robot toys mimic animals and pets
Explain how the robot dog Aibo works?
- It has camera sensors on its nose and above its tail
- Other sensors detect stroking
- Actuators control legs and movement
- It has facial recognition and interacts differently
with each person it plays with
What are some advantages of using robots?
- Reduces the cost / need for humans to do the task
- Works faster
- Is more accurate / efficient
- Is able to work in dangerous environments / reduces the risks to humans
- Is able to work 24 x 7 / works without a break