IGCSE Computer Science (0478) · Paper 1 — Computer Systems
Automated & Emerging Technologies
Sensor-driven automated systems and AI questions are almost always context-based — the mark scheme wants the sensor/action linked to the specific scenario given, not a generic definition.
6.1 Automated systems
- Describe how sensors, microprocessors and actuators can be used in collaboration to create automated systems.
- Describe the advantages and disadvantages of an automated system used for a given scenario, including industry, transport, agriculture, weather, gaming, lighting and science.
6.2 Robotics
- Understand what is meant by robotics: the branch of computer science incorporating the design, construction and operation of robots (e.g. factory equipment, domestic robots, drones).
- Describe the characteristics of a robot: a mechanical structure or framework, electrical components (sensors, microprocessors, actuators), and being programmable.
- Understand the roles that robots can perform and describe the advantages and disadvantages of their use in industry, transport, agriculture, medicine, domestic settings and entertainment.
6.3 Artificial intelligence
- Understand what is meant by artificial intelligence (AI): the branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behaviours by computers.
- Describe the main characteristics of AI as the collection of data and the rules for using that data, the ability to reason, and (where applicable) the ability to learn and adapt.
- Explain the basic operation and components of AI systems to simulate intelligent behaviour, limited to expert systems (knowledge base, rule base, inference engine, interface) and machine learning.
Practice this topic
ExamEdge generates fresh, exam-authentic automated & emerging technologies questions, marks every answer, and tells you exactly why a mark was lost — concept gap, reading load, or answer format.