Automated systems are the systems that can work without the need for a human operator.
We could say that the sensors of our bodies are our eyes, nose, tongue, ears, skin. These sensors send information to our brain continuously.
Automated systems uses sensors too. These sensors provide information to the brain of the automated system.
The brain of an automated system is the microprocessor.
The microprocessor is in charge of processing the data sent by the sensors.
What does it mean 'processing the data'?
After analysing the data and according to what is the goal of the automated system, the microprocessor might decide to buzz, beep, sound an alarm, open a valve, display data in a monitor, etc. This analysing and deciding is the processing of the data.
The elements used in an automated system are:
sensor: input device that reads physical properties from its surroundings, e.g. temperature.
microprocessor: central processing unit that can process digital data.
actuator: output device that converts a signal from the microprocessor (control signal) to a force or velocity.
In general, sensors, microprocessor and actuators work together in the following way:
The sensors read values from their surroundings.
Sensors send these values to the microprocessor.
Before the readings from the sensors reach the microprocessor, an ADC (Analogue to Digital Converter) converts the analogue signals from the sensors into digital signals, so the microprocessor can understand them.
The microprocessor then processes the data. For example, if the automated system is an air conditioner system, the microprocessor will compare the signals from the temperature sensor with the pre-set values that the user has inputted into the system.
If the readings from the temperature sensor are below the pre-set values the microprocessor will send a signal to the actuator to switch off the air conditioner system.
If the readings from the temperature sensor are above the pre-set value, the microprocessor will send a signal to the actuator to switch on the air conditioner system.
If the readings from the temperature sensor are the same than the pre-set values, then the microprocessor won't do anything.
Take into account that you need to adapt these description to the scenarios you are going to be given.
The scenarios that you might be given are related to: industry, transport, agriculture, weather, gaming, lighting and science.
To remember about sensors you can go back to the sensors lesson here.
Advantages
Health and safety risks can be reduced by automating manual, repetitive or dangerous tasks.
Increased speed, efficiency and volume of production, leading to increased income.
Less reliance on human workers.
Consistency of products and decisions.
Better use of human workers' time.
Disadvantages
Automation of tasks can lead to worker redundancy.
More expensive to implement and maintain.
Less employment for human workers.
Harder to be flexible and adapt to customer requests.
Increased complexity of human worker roles.
A robot is a programmable machine that can copy certain human movements automatically, for example picking up something on the factory floor.
Robotics is a branch of computer science that has to do with the design, construction and operation of robots.
Industrial robots can lift heavy objects easily. They never get tired. They don't need to be paid. As you can see in the video, they are an example of automated systems, repeating the same actions again and again.
Domestic robots can do chores around the home. This frees up time for humans to do other things.
Drones do not get caught up in traffic jams or have to wait at traffic lights like normal delivery vans do. They don't pollute the atmosphere as they travel from A to B. They are very quiet.
They do need strong batteries. If they fail to make a delivery, that can lead to complains.
As we have seen, robots can mimic the actions of a human. They can bend, twist, push, pull, grip, lift, move and even jump!
What gives a robot this ability to bend and twist and move? Robots have a mechanical structure.
Robots are also programmable. They can follow instructions programmed into their memory. As a kind of automated system, they use sensors to make decisions as they follow these instructions. For example, a robot can be programmed to move forward. It has a proximity sensor. If it gets too close to an object, it will stop. The robot has been programmed to do this.
Robots are mechanical and programmable.
Look at the amazing robots in the video.
Some of them are able to easily lift and move objects that are too heavy for humans.
Some of them can repeat the same action again and again more precisely than humans can.
Some of them can work in dangerous situations, meaning that humans don’t have to.
All of them produce consistent results, depending on what they are programmed to do.
None of them need to be paid a salary.
None of them need to take a break or a holiday.
None of them complain or quit.
Yes, robots are amazing and these are some of the advantages of using robots in modern society.
But what about the disadvantages?
robots cost a lot of money to buy - this money could be spent on more worthy causes
robots are mechanical structures - they require metals, plastic and other materials in their production. Mining and producing these materials can be environmentally unfriendly.
people need jobs. Replacing humans with robots reduces job opportunities.
they need constant power. Producing this power can be harmful to the environment.
they need constant power. They are expensive to run.
AI is a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behaviours by computers.
The fundamental principal of AI is that they are machines trained to recognise patterns. This training occurs by feeding the machines with lots and lots of data.
Data can be text, images, colours, sounds, etc. Anything can be data in AI.
For example, in a hospital an AI system is trained to recognise the electrical activity of the human heart. It is trained with thousands of samples of data. When it is fed a new heartbeat with very subtle differences to a normal pattern, it will alert the doctor that there is a problem.
In summary, the characteristics of AI are:
AI is a collection of data and rules for using that data
AI has the ability to reason
AI can include the ability to learn and adapt
Expert systems are capable of storing massive amounts of data and also rules about that data. They apply rules to the data to produce/infer a result.
They are programs that try to emulate the knowledge of human specialists.
Expert systems have a:
Knowledge base
This is a database that allows the storage and retrieval of data collected from knowledge provided by experts. It contains knowledge about the specific area for which the expert system is going to be used.
Rules base
The rule base is part of the knowledge base. They are a set of rules that will be used to produce an output or decision. Each rule contains two parts, the IF and the THEN. A rule can also have multiple parts that will be joined together by boolean operators, e.g. AND, OR
Inference engine
The inference engine is the part of the expert system that makes the judgements and reasoning using the knowledge base and user responses. It is designed to produce reasoning based on the rules base.
Interface
The user interface is the way the user interacts with the expert system. They can be graphical or text based and have a range of selection processes or typing methods to allow the user to provide responses.
Machine learning is when a program has the ability to automatically adapt its own processes and/or data. It analyses data and learns from it.