Automated Systems
Automated and Emerging Technologies
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 |
Common exam question
Advantages and disadvantages of an automated system
Question: Explain one advantage to the employees or one disadvantage to the owner of an automated system, or give two benefits to the farmer (2 marks).
Asked in 2 of the 17 papers. An explain question pays one mark for the benefit or drawback and one for a matching description of its effect: "the set-up cost is high" is the first mark, "so the owner must find a large sum up front" the second. A give question pays one mark per point.
Match the point to the group named. Employees gain safety (no dangerous areas), new skills or jobs maintaining the equipment, and no repetitive tasks, freeing them for skilled work. The owner faces set-up or installation cost, running, maintenance and repair costs and deskilling. A farmer gains no heavy equipment to handle, time for other jobs, work around the clock, lower labour costs and more accurate ploughing.