Automated Systems
Automated and Emerging Technologies · 4 question types
Exam Frequency Analysis
Past paper frequency (2018 to 2024)
This topic accounts for approximately 3% of your exam marks.
Sensor to microprocessor to actuator control loop questions. Usually 3 to 4 marks.
Across all these scenarios, automated systems share a common set of pros and cons.
General advantages
| Advantage | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Long-term cost saving | After the initial investment, automated systems do not need wages, breaks or holidays |
| Safety | Machines can do dangerous jobs (chemical handling, extreme heat, mines, deep-sea) without putting humans at risk |
| Speed and efficiency | A microprocessor reacts in microseconds; many tasks are done far faster than by hand |
| Consistency | Every cycle produces the same output; no variation in quality from fatigue or distraction |
| 24/7 operation | Machines do not need to sleep, eat or rest |
| Precision | Sensors and actuators can be more accurate than humans for many tasks (welding, dosing, measuring) |
| Removes humans from hazardous environments | Robots can work in radioactive zones, deep mines, undersea facilities, and other unsafe locations |
General disadvantages
| Disadvantage | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| High initial setup cost | Sensors, actuators, microcontrollers, software and integration are expensive to design and install |
| Significant testing required | Faulty automation can cause damage or injury; thorough testing is essential before deployment |
| Inflexibility | Automated systems only handle scenarios they have been programmed for; unexpected situations may not be handled correctly |
| Job losses | Roles that can be automated may disappear, creating ethical and social problems |
| Cyber-security risks | Automated systems are connected to networks; attackers can gain control by exploiting bugs in the software or weak credentials |
| Maintenance burden | Sensors drift, actuators wear out, software needs patches; without regular maintenance the system fails |
| Lack of human judgement | Machines follow rules; they cannot make moral or empathetic decisions when something out of the ordinary happens |
| Dependence on the system | If the automation breaks, operations may halt entirely until repairs are made |
Explaining an advantage or disadvantage of an automated system
What comes up: "Explain one advantage to employees / one disadvantage to the company owner of using an automated system" (typically 2 marks each — one for naming it, one for explaining why it matters in context).
Write (two marks — advantage): Name the benefit AND explain the consequence for the group mentioned in the question. For example: (1) The system can work in dangerous or hazardous conditions, so (2) workers no longer need to enter unsafe areas to collect data or carry out risky tasks.
Write (two marks — disadvantage): Name the cost AND explain why it is a problem. For example: (1) The initial set-up cost is high, meaning (2) the company must find a large sum of money upfront to buy and install the equipment; or (1) the system requires skilled technicians to maintain it, meaning (2) the company faces ongoing repair and training costs.
Watch out: A bare statement ("it is expensive") earns only 1 mark. You must add the explanation of why that matters or what it leads to in order to collect the second mark. Always match the point to the group named in the question — an advantage to employees is not the same as an advantage to the company owner.