Chapter 6 - Automated and emerging technologies Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is an automated device?
A device that is operated without human interaction.
What are the 3 features of an automated system?
- Sensors - to measure the environment
- Microprocessors - to process the data from the sensors and determine if an action needs to be taken
- Actuators - to create a movement
What is a sensor?
A type of input device that is used to capture data from its immediate environment.
What is a microprocessor?
An integrated circuit that is able to perform many of the functions of a CPU.
What is analogue data?
Continuous data that can be any value within a range.
What is digital data?
Discrete data that is stored in 1s and 0s.
What are the different types of sensors?
Check book page 64-65.
How does the microprocessor understand the data collected by the sensor?
The sensor reads analogue data but the microprocessor can only understand binary/digital data. The analogue data is sent to an analogue-to-digital converter and turns the reading into digital data so it can be sent to the microprocessor.
Why does the microprocessor have data initially stored inside it?
To compare the data from the sensor to these set of values and determine its next step.
Which mechanical part performs the actions for the microprocessor?
A signal is sent to the actuator which performs the action.
What is an actuator?
A mechanical part that causes another device or part to move.
What is automation?
The use of automated equipment in a process (e.g. factory).
What are the 6 factors we must consider when evaluating the use of automation?
- Initial cost
- Running cost
- Safety
- Replacing people’s jobs
- Continuous work (all day, every day - 24/7)
- Precision
What is a robot?
A machine that replicates human actions or movement.
What is robotics?
An area of computer science that looks at the creation and use of robots.
What features do robots have?
- Mechanical structure/Framework - the body of the robot
- Electrical components:
- Sensors (to record its environment)
- Microprocessors (to take the reading from a sensor and decide the action to perform)
- Actuators (to make the robot move) - Programmable - program can be written for robot to follow
What does it mean if something is programmable?
A computer will run the commands stored in it.
What is artificial intelligence (AI)?
A part of computer science that looks at creating machines that can think and perform tasks a person would usually perform.
What are the 5 areas within AI?
- Image recognition - to identify objects/people in an image
- Speech recognition - to identify words spoken and store them
- Natural language - to receive a command/instruction that is not in a set format and perform the required response
- Computer games - to move elements/characters independently based upon the environment
- Diagnosis system
What are the 4 key features/components of AI programs?
- Collection of data: program will need data input which might come from a user or from its sensors
- Set of programmed rules: stored for the program to use to make decisions
- Ability to reason: area of logic with rules from which facts can be developed
- Ability to learn and adapt: specialist area known as machine learning where the system can be programmed to learn and change their own rules and logic (not in all AI systems)
What is machine learning?
A computer program that can adapt its stored rules or processes.
What are the two different types of machine learning?
- Supervised machine learning - user tells program what its data means
- Unsupervised machine learning - program learns from the data without any human interaction needed
What are the 4 key features of an expert system?
- Knowledge base - list of facts
- Rule base - links the facts
- Inference engine - part of the program that decides which question to ask next or which answer to give
- User interface - outputs questions and statements to the user and allows the user to input data
What is an expert system?
A system that attempts to replicate the knowledge of an expert.
