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IGCSE · Practice questions · Robotics

Structure, sensors, program.

Six original Cambridge-style questions on robotics, from the characteristics of a robot to evaluating robots in industry, medicine and the home.

Original questions All questions on this page are original work, written in the Cambridge IGCSE style. They are not from past papers. They test the same concepts and skills the syllabus rewards.
Keep these straight

Three characteristics.

01
Recall
[1 marks]

State what is meant by robotics.

  • A branch of computer science that incorporates the design, construction and operation of robots. ✓
02
Explain
[3 marks]

Describe the three characteristics of a robot.

  • It has a mechanical structure or framework (e.g. arms, wheels, joints). ✓
  • It has electrical components such as sensors, a microprocessor and actuators. ✓
  • It is programmable: it follows a stored program and can be reprogrammed. ✓
03
Apply
[4 marks]

A fruit farm uses a robot to pick apples. Describe how the robot uses sensors, a microprocessor and actuators to pick an apple.

  • A camera / light sensor captures images of the tree and sends the data to the microprocessor. ✓
  • The microprocessor processes the images to find an apple, checks it is ripe (e.g. by its colour or size) and works out its position. ✓
  • It sends signals to the actuators (motors) to move the arm to the apple and close the gripper. ✓
  • A pressure sensor in the gripper checks the grip is not too tight, so the apple is not bruised, before the arm places it in a box. ✓
04
Analysis
[4 marks]

A warehouse is thinking about using robots to move and pack goods. Give two advantages and two disadvantages to the warehouse.

  • Advantage: robots can work 24 hours a day without breaks, so more orders are packed. ✓
  • Advantage: fewer mistakes / consistent packing; fewer injuries from lifting heavy goods. ✓
  • Disadvantage: the robots are expensive to buy, program and maintain. ✓
  • Disadvantage: workers may lose their jobs; a breakdown or unusual item could stop the system. ✓
05
Explain
[2 marks]

Explain why a robot used in a theme park ride (an animatronic dinosaur) is an example of robotics in entertainment.

  • It has a mechanical framework moved by actuators (motors) controlled by a microprocessor. ✓
  • It is programmed to repeat the same movements and sounds for every audience, and sensors can trigger the show when a ride car arrives. ✓
06
Analysis
[2 marks]

A care home is thinking about using robots to look after elderly residents. Give two reasons why the managers might decide not to replace care workers with robots.

  • Robots lack human empathy and the personal contact residents need. ✓
  • Robots cannot cope well with unexpected situations (e.g. a resident falling ill) that need human judgement; they are also expensive. ✓

Mark this once you have attempted all six and checked your working. It records a Practiced badge on the topic and adds a one-time bonus. Revealing the solutions alone does not count.