Automated and emerging technologies — IGCSE Computer Science (0478) questions by topic
Automated and emerging technologies questions cover identifying the three components of an expert system alongside the inference engine, giving characteristics of a robot with a mechanical structure, and applying the logic of an automated water-refilling system to a farm's drinking system. Give, explain, describe, state and identify are the command words, with explain wanting the reasoning applied specifically to the scenario given, not a generic description.
13 real questions from 2023 to 2025 papers make up this page, worth 4 to 23 marks. Because these questions are marked on applying sensors and microprocessors to the exact context described, submitting your answers for instant marking shows whether you've tied a component to the water bowl or drinking system in the question, rather than describing automated systems in general.
What examiners look for
- A recurring mistake is giving infrared where it is unsuitable for the system described, and giving a generic description of sensors and microprocessors rather than applying it to the specific context, such as the water-bowl scenario.
- Examiners also flag giving advantages that suit the company's owners, such as robots not needing breaks, when the question asks about employees.
- Strong answers most commonly identified a level sensor, and analysed the operation of the specific system using the context given in the question.
- Reports praise candidates who gave a characteristic of artificial intelligence, most commonly its ability to learn.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
A robot is used to move car parts in a factory. One characteristic of the robot is that it has a mechanical structure. Give one other characteristic of a robot.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 12
A hospital has computers and technology that it uses when caring for its patients. One computer is an expert system that is used to help diagnose a patient's illness. The doctor…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 13
A weather station uses automated systems to collect and analyse data about the weather. The automated system uses sensors. Give one other component that would be part of the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
A farmer uses an automated robot to plant seeds in the field. State what is meant by the robot being automated.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
A garage uses an expert system to help diagnose any problems with cars that need repair. The expert system is an example of artificial intelligence (AI). Describe what is meant by…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
A doctor's surgery has an expert system that helps diagnose the illnesses of its patients. Complete the paragraph about the operation of the expert system. Use the terms from the…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
A farmer has a plough that is an automated system. The plough is used to dig the ground in a field to prepare it for planting seeds. The plough uses sensors and a microprocessor…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
A farm has an automated drinking system for its animals. The drinking system has a water bowl that contains the water. When the water bowl is empty, it is automatically refilled.…
Answer this question and get it marked →A company uses robots in its factory to manufacture large pieces of furniture. One characteristic of a robot is that it is programmable. State two other characteristics of a robot.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
One component of an expert system is the inference engine. Identify the three other components in an expert system.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
The rule base and the inference engine are two components of an expert system. Identify the other two components of an expert system.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
A business has a system that is described as having artificial intelligence (AI). State one of the main characteristics of an AI system.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
A car repair garage uses an expert system. Complete the description about the operation of the expert system. Use the terms from the list. Some of the terms in the list will not…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other IGCSE Computer Science topics
- Hardware (108)
- Algorithm design and problem-solving (43)
- Data representation (26)
- The internet and its uses (23)
- Data transmission (21)
- Boolean logic (19)
- Databases (16)
- Software (12)
- Programming (11)