Examples and Applications — Robotics | IGCSE Computer Science

Exam Frequency Analysis

Past paper frequency (2018 to 2024)

This topic accounts for approximately 3% of your exam marks.

stable

Rare

Stable3%

Advantages/disadvantages of using robots in industry are the typical question format.

The syllabus lists six application areas of robotics. For each you should know the typical role and the trade-offs.

Robots are widely used on factory floors for tasks that are repetitive, dangerous, or require very precise motion.

Roles: welding car bodies, painting, assembling electronics, quality inspection with vision systems, packaging finished goods.
Advantages: faster than humans, consistent quality, work 24/7, do not get tired, can handle heavy parts.
Disadvantages: very high upfront cost, can miss subtle defects that need human judgement, replaces manual jobs.

Logistics and warehousing now use robots extensively.

Roles: warehouse robots that find, move and pack goods (e.g. in Amazon fulfilment centres); autonomous trucks; self-driving cars; automated trains.
Advantages: efficient picking and packing, less reliance on manual labour, work in 24/7 shifts.
Disadvantages: high infrastructure cost, safety concerns when robots and humans share the same space, dependence on reliable software.

Modern farms increasingly use robots for precision agriculture.

Roles: planting and seeding machines that place seeds at exact depths and spacings; harvesting robots; robotic weed sprayers; automated milking.
Advantages: precise planting and chemical use, less labour, larger yields, work overnight.
Disadvantages: very expensive to buy, may struggle with uneven terrain or unpredictable weather, smaller farms cannot afford them.

Robots are used in hospitals for surgery, rehabilitation and laboratory work.

Roles: surgical robots that assist surgeons with delicate procedures (e.g. da Vinci); rehabilitation robots that guide patients through repetitive physical-therapy movements; lab robots handling samples.
Advantages: extreme precision, less invasive surgery (smaller incisions, shorter recovery), tireless repetition during therapy.
Disadvantages: very high cost, requires specialist training, cannot provide emotional support the way a human therapist can.

Robots in the home are still mostly limited but growing.

Roles: robotic vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, window cleaners; smart kitchen helpers that chop, measure and stir; companion robots for the elderly.
Advantages: free up the user's time, help people with limited mobility, work consistently.
Disadvantages: limited capabilities (cannot handle every situation), can be expensive, may struggle in cluttered or unusual environments.

Robots appear in education, theme parks and animatronic shows.

Roles: educational robots that teach programming, animatronic figures in theme parks, performance robots, interactive museum exhibits.
Advantages: engaging and interactive for children, can be reprogrammed for new lessons, available 24/7 in attractions.
Disadvantages: high cost, cannot replace the guidance of a human teacher, may break and need expensive repair.