The Impact of New & Emerging Technologies on Industry (AQA GCSE Design & Technology): Revision Note
Exam code: 8552
Automation & use of robotics in the workplace
What is automation and use of robotics in the workplace?
Automation and use of robotics in the workplace describes how modern products are designed, manufactured and distributed in large volume
It can be broken down into the key areas of:
New and emerging technologies
Automation
Robotics
New or emerging technology
A new or emerging technology refers to any recent innovation that shapes how products are designed, manufactured or distributed
Automation
Automation refers to the use of a control system, machine or technology to operate processes with less human intervention
Robotics
Robotics refers to a branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation and application of robots
Robots are automated machines capable of performing tasks traditionally carried out by humans
How is automation through robotics a new or emerging technology?
Robotics was first used for car manufacturing in the 1960s
Before then, humans handled all production tasks
Robotics transformed the role of the human worker, evolving to today's artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning systems
AI is the ability of computer systems to perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, including problem-solving and decision-making
Machine learning systems are computer programs that learn from data and improve their performance over time
What is a robot?
A robot is an automated machine that can be programmed using a computer to carry out a task
They carry out complex, repetitive or dangerous tasks on behalf of a human
A robot will either enhance, assist or replace a human during a task
They are made up of structural parts, sensors, actuators, motors and a processor
What are the key characteristics of robots?
Automation — tasks can run continuously without human input
Programmable — different instructions can be loaded using a computer
Accurate — work is carried out in a consistent and fast way
Integrated — systems can link to other technologies to support decision-making
Examiner Tips and Tricks
In the exam, you may be asked to explain why a manufacturer would choose to use robots instead of human workers.
Think about the key characteristics: robots work 24/7 without breaks, they don't make errors on repetitive tasks, and they can operate in dangerous environments.
Always link your answer back to the specific manufacturing context given in the question.
What are the differences between a robot and a human when manufacturing products?
Robot | Human |
|---|---|
Can operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, increasing efficiency and lowering costs | Typically works 7.5 hours a day, 5 days a week and requires rest breaks |
Performs repetitive tasks precisely, without error and safely | Will struggle to maintain high levels of accuracy and can become injured when carrying out repetitive tasks for long periods |
Can perform dangerous tasks, including those with extreme levels of heat, radiation or potential for incident | Cannot always carry out tasks where there is a high risk of injury or death, especially where there is radiation or extreme heat |
Designed and programmed to carry out specific tasks, which can speed up production | Requires training and specialist equipment to carry out specific tasks for production |
What are some examples of using robotics in manufacturing?
Welding steel car frames on a moving production line using robotic arms
Spray painting car body panels on a conveyor belt
Picking and packing products in an automated warehouse (e.g. a large online retailer)
"Image coming soon"
Worked Example
Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of using robots instead of human workers on a car manufacturing production line.
[4 marks]
Answer:
Advantage: Robots can operate 24 hours a day without rest breaks, which increases the efficiency of the production line and reduces manufacturing costs, as there is no need to pay wages or provide breaks.
Disadvantage: Robots are expensive to purchase and install, and they require specialist maintenance and programming, which adds to the initial set-up costs for the manufacturer.
Buildings & the place of work
What are buildings and the place of work?
Buildings and the place of work describe the environments where products and systems are designed, manufactured and distributed
It can be broken down into the key areas of:
Smart buildings
Sustainable construction
Modular buildings
Smart buildings
"Image coming soon"
A smart building uses automated systems like lighting, heating, ventilation and security to ensure safety and comfort
Connected to the internet, it can use AI to efficiently manage energy, share data and make adjustments to the spaces inside
Sustainable construction
"Image coming soon"
Buildings are sustainably constructed when they use eco-friendly materials and/or renewable energy sources to reduce their carbon impact during construction
Modular buildings
"Image coming soon"
Modular buildings use pre-assembled components to speed up construction, reduce waste and allow quick adaptation for different uses
How are buildings and the place of work a new or emerging technology?
Advances in building design and construction influence how products are designed, manufactured and distributed
Automation and fabrication in buildings began in the early 19th century
By the 1960s, buildings evolved into systems linking heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) together
A system is a number of products, devices or services that connect together, work together or impact one another
Modern homes and workplaces are often called "smart" due to sensing devices which are connected and working together
These systems enable real-time monitoring and control, improving living quality and manufacturing efficiency
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Questions about buildings and the workplace often ask you to explain how technology has changed the way products are manufactured or distributed.
Make sure you can give specific examples of smart building features (e.g. automated lighting, HVAC systems) and explain how they improve efficiency or reduce environmental impact.
Worked Example
Explain what is meant by a "smart building".
[2 marks]
Answer:
A smart building uses automated systems [1 mark] such as lighting, heating, ventilation and security that are connected to the internet and can be monitored and controlled remotely or by AI to improve comfort, safety and energy efficiency [1 mark].
Tools & equipment
What are tools and equipment?
Tools and equipment refer to the physical resources used to design, make and finish products
They can include hand tools (e.g. saws, files, hammers and drills), measuring devices (e.g. rulers, micrometres, laser measuring and scales), powered machines (e.g. band saws, lathes, milling machines and drills) and computer-aided equipment (e.g. CNC mills, CNC routers, CNC lathes and 3D printers)
How are tools and equipment a new or emerging technology?
Traditional and small-scale manufacturing relies on hand tools
In the early 19th century, manufacturers adopted numerical control (NC) equipment to produce larger volumes
NC systems helped humans repeat tasks mechanically for consistent product manufacture
Around the 1950s, computers allowed machines to become computer numerically controlled (CNC)
CNC machines automate tasks like cutting, drilling, shaping and engraving, operated by computers rather than humans
CNC technology has advanced modern manufacturing by enabling high precision and efficiency
Examples of advances in tools and equipment?
Digital machine control — uses smart sensors and lasers for precise manufacturing
"Image coming soon"
Automated CNC machining — including mills and lathes, speeds up production and reduces errors
"Image coming soon"
3D printing — adds material in layers to make CAD-designed parts that can be custom designed
"Image coming soon"
Internet of Things (IoT) — the connection of devices to the internet to share data, monitor performance and manage production efficiently
"Image coming soon"
CAD (computer-aided design) — lets anyone design products for manufacturing, making design more accessible
"Image coming soon"
Examiner Tips and Tricks
You should be able to explain the difference between CAD and CAM (computer-aided manufacture).
CAD is the use of software to create and modify designs, while CAM is the use of software to control manufacturing equipment such as CNC machines.
A common exam question asks you to describe how CAD/CAM has improved manufacturing — think about accuracy, speed, reduced waste and the ability to create complex shapes.
Worked Example
Explain two ways that CNC technology has improved modern manufacturing.
[4 marks]
Answer:
Way 1: CNC machines can produce parts with a very high level of precision and accuracy [1 mark], because they are controlled by a computer program that repeats the same movements exactly each time, reducing human error [1 mark].
Way 2: CNC machines can operate continuously without breaks [1 mark], which increases the speed of production and lowers manufacturing costs compared to manual methods [1 mark].
Unlock more, it's free!
Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams
the (exam) results speak for themselves:
Was this revision note helpful?
