There are loads of automatic systems in every day life. Nowadays these are mostly run by electricity but in the past mechanical means were used to control machines like a flywheel governor to limit the speed of a steam engine by shutting off the valve if it went too fast.
These are some systems that are automatic at least in part. Can you think of any more? Why not E-mail us your ideas so that we can add them to the list?
When the vehicle slows down or stops very fast (because of a collision) then an accelerometer triggers the airbag to be inflated to protect the driver or passenger from injury.
Its job is to wake people up at the correct time in the morning. May also turn on a radio or make tea and toast.
When the alarm is set, a siren will sound if a door or window is opened by an intruder. Maybe the police will be called automatically too.
These sense if a car’s driving wheels lock up or are turning too slow for the speed of travel. The system releases and reapplies the brake so that the tyre does not skid and makes the breaking more effective.
The doors slide open when a movement sensor is triggered by an approaching person. When the person has passed through the doors close again.
When the house gets cold the pump will circulate water to heat everyone up. When the house heats up the pump will switch off.
Have their own programs and can control themselves and other systems via an interface.
Cranes are used for heavy lifting. They may be controlled remotely and have on-board systems to make them safer.
Wonderful displays of flashing and moving lights are controlled to repeat a given sequence.
Lifts sense when they arrive at the correct floor and open and shut the doors automatically and safely. The user presses buttons to select their destination floor
The flashing light has the correct sequence and timing as marked on a chart to help navigate a ship through dangerous waters.
Lots of machines used in production can be pre-programmed to carry out repetitive tasks.
The points are operated remotely from a distance by turning on a motor which makes a train switch railway lines.
These are used to tell engine drivers when they can go (Green) or when they must stop (Red). Also sometime they give advance warning (Orange) of a red signal ahead.
If the cool space warms up the compressor will switch on and start the cooling process. When the lower temperature is reached it switches off.
Designed for specific tasks and respond to inputs from sensors. Can do jobs in places where humans cannot go.
These have a timer to switch them on in the evening and maybe a light sensor too to switch them off when they are not needed.
This measures temperature and can be used to switch things on and off when a fixed temperature is reached.
To avoid burning toast these either have a timer or can sense when the toast is ready.
Different countries have different sequences of lights to control traffic – usually Red, Yellow and Green for Go.
Different washing sequences are able to be selected for the perfect wash of different items.
When the vehicle slows down or stops very fast (because of a collision) then an accelerometer triggers the airbag to be inflated to protect the driver or passenger from injury.
Its job is to wake people up at the correct time in the morning. May also turn on a radio or make tea and toast.
When the alarm is set, a siren will sound if a door or window is opened by an intruder. Maybe the police will be called automatically too.
These sense if a car’s driving wheels lock up or are turning too slow for the speed of travel. The system releases and reapplies the brake so that the tyre does not skid and makes the breaking more effective.
The doors slide open when a movement sensor is triggered by an approaching person. When the person has passed through the doors close again.
When the house gets cold the pump will circulate water to heat everyone up. When the house heats up the pump will switch off.
Have their own programs and can control themselves and other systems via an interface.
Cranes are used for heavy lifting. They may be controlled remotely and have on-board systems to make them safer.
Wonderful displays of flashing and moving lights are controlled to repeat a given sequence.
Lifts sense when they arrive at the correct floor and open and shut the doors automatically and safely. The user presses buttons to select their destination floor
The flashing light has the correct sequence and timing as marked on a chart to help navigate a ship through dangerous waters.
Lots of machines used in production can be pre-programmed to carry out repetitive tasks.
The points are operated remotely from a distance by turning on a motor which makes a train switch railway lines.
These are used to tell engine drivers when they can go (Green) or when they must stop (Red). Also sometime they give advance warning (Orange) of a red signal ahead.
If the cool space warms up the compressor will switch on and start the cooling process. When the lower temperature is reached it switches off.
Designed for specific tasks and respond to inputs from sensors. Can do jobs in places where humans cannot go.
These have a timer to switch them on in the evening and maybe a light sensor too to switch them off when they are not needed.
This measures temperature and can be used to switch things on and off when a fixed temperature is reached.
To avoid burning toast these either have a timer or can sense when the toast is ready.
Different countries have different sequences of lights to control traffic – usually Red, Yellow and Green for Go.
Different washing sequences are able to be selected for the perfect wash of different items.