Automated and Emerging Technologies · 4 question types
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.
| 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 |
| 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 |