← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Characteristic of a robot: programmable

A robot is programmable: it follows a stored set of instructions, and changing the program changes what the robot does. With no program it cannot act.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 6.2 Robotics — Module 9

Understanding Characteristic of a robot: programmable in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: The same robot changes what it does when its program is replaced, which shows it is programmable. Without stored instructions the robot has nothing to follow, so it stays still even though it has motors and sensors. The program is stored in memory. The microprocessor reads and runs it. Sensors only collect data from the surroundings. A robot has a mechanical structure, electrical components and is programmable. All three are needed for a device to count as a robot.

Common mistakes: A robot's instructions are stored in its memory, not in a keyboard. The line should be STORE program IN memory. With no program in memory the robot cannot act. In the empty branch it should stop, so this should be robot.stop() and not robot.run().

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 632–641) and word search (Modules 632–651).

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Learning
Duo
Which statement describes a programmable robot?
It only moves when a person steers it all the timeIt follows a stored set of instructions
Matches
A person steers a toy car with a handset, so it is a programmable robot
↓
Remote control is not programming. The person decides each move live, and the car follows no stored instructions of its own.
Applying
Meanings
Term
programmable
Meaning
A robot is programmable: it follows a stored set of instructions, and changing the program changes what the robot does. With no program it cannot act.
Practice
PROGRAM WeldCar
Testing
Gaps
← ["FORWARD", "TURN", "STOP"]
Check Answer
Spots
1program ← "weld,move,weld"
2STORE program IN keyboard

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Quick Questions

1. Which statement describes a programmable robot?
A. It only moves when a person steers it all the time
B. It follows a stored set of instructions ✓
A programmable robot carries out instructions stored in its memory. It does not need a person to control each move.
2. A factory robot arm welds car doors. The company wants it to weld boot lids instead. What is the best change?
A. Reprogram it with new instructions ✓
B. Replace the whole robot with a new one
Changing the program changes what the robot does. This is why programmable robots are flexible and can be reused for new tasks.
3. Where are a robot's instructions kept?
A. In the robot's memory ✓
B. In the robot's sensors
The program is stored in memory. The microprocessor reads and runs it. Sensors only collect data from the surroundings.
4. A robot has all its parts but no program loaded. What can it do?
A. Nothing useful, as it has no instructions to follow ✓
B. It works out its own tasks and starts them
Without a program a robot cannot act. The program tells the microprocessor what to do with the sensor input and the actuators.
5. Which one is following a program?
A. A toy car steered by a person with a handset
B. A robot vacuum cleaner that cleans a room by itself ✓
The robot vacuum runs stored instructions. The toy car is remote controlled, so a person makes each decision as it moves.

Match the Pairs

programmable → The robot follows a stored set of instructions, and changing the program changes what the robot does
IF obstacle THEN turn ELSE move → A stored instruction in the robot's memory that the robot follows by itself, without a human controlling each move
Reprogramming a robot for a new task: load new instructions and the robot does a different job → load program: paint_door -> load program: weld_frame
A robot with no program in memory has no instructions to follow, so it cannot do anything → memory = empty -> robot action = none
A person steers a toy car with a handset, so it is a programmable robot → Remote control is not programming. The person decides each move live, and the car follows no stored instructions of its own.
To make a robot do a new task, you must build a new robot → A programmable robot can be given a new program. You change the instructions, not the whole machine.

Key Term

programmable
A robot is programmable: it follows a stored set of instructions, and changing the program changes what the robot does. With no program it cannot act.

Fill in the Blanks

1. memory ← ["FORWARD", "TURN", "STOP"]
Hint: Type the variable name for the place inside the robot where its instructions are stored.
2. program ← "weld" program ← "paint"
Hint: Type the variable that holds the robot's instructions, so it can be reassigned to give the robot a new task.
3. IF program = EMPTY THEN OUTPUT "No instructions" ENDIF
Hint: Type the value that means the robot has no stored instructions at all.
4. FOR EACH step IN program robot.do(step) NEXT
Hint: Type the loop variable that holds each stored instruction as the robot follows them one by one.
5. IF program ≠ EMPTY THEN robot.run(program) ENDIF
Hint: Type the comparison operator meaning 'is not equal to', so the robot only runs when instructions exist.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A program ← "weld,move,weld"
B STORE program IN keyboard
C RUN program
Line B — A robot's instructions are stored in its memory, not in a keyboard. The line should be STORE program IN memory.
Question 2
A IF memory = EMPTY THEN
B OUTPUT "No program"
C robot.run()
D ELSE
E robot.run()
F ENDIF
Line C — With no program in memory the robot cannot act. In the empty branch it should stop, so this should be robot.stop() and not robot.run().
Question 3
A newProgram ← pack boxes
B LOAD newProgram INTO memory
C RUN newProgram
Line A — The new task is text, so it must be in quotes: newProgram ← "pack boxes". Without quotes it is not a valid string.
Question 4
A WHILE program NOT finished
B READ joystick
C robot.do(instruction)
D ENDWHILE
Line B — A programmed robot reads the next stored instruction. Reading a joystick would be remote control. It should be READ next instruction.
Question 5
A FOR i ← 1 UNTIL 3
B robot.move(10)
C NEXT i
Line A — A FOR loop uses the keyword TO for its range. It should be FOR i ← 1 TO 3 so the stored instruction repeats three times.

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