A fridge that orders milk
Your fridge notices there is no milk. It orders some. A drone drops it at your door. The bill is paid on its own.
This is not magic. It is sensors (devices that measure things), internet links, the cloud and software. Somebody had to build each part. This lesson looks at the technology behind it.
Key words
| Word | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Internet of Things | Everyday objects with sensors and an internet link. | a smart thermostat |
| Sensor | A device that measures something in the world. | a temperature sensor |
| Operational technology | Computers that control physical machines and equipment. | factory machines, traffic lights |
| Robotics | Machines that move and act, controlled by software. | a robot that packs boxes |
| Automation | Machines or software doing a job without a person. | an automatic ticket gate |
| Cloud computing | Using computers in a faraway building (a data centre) over the internet. | storing photos online |
| Drone | A flying machine without a pilot on board. | a delivery drone |
| 3D printing | Making a solid object from a computer design, layer by layer. | a plastic phone case |
| 5G | The fifth generation of mobile network: faster, with less delay. | streaming video on a phone |
| Network | Computers and devices joined together so they can share data. | a mobile network or home Wi-Fi |
| Prototype | An early, simple version that you can try. | a 3D printed model of a part |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Quick check: read the diagram
Have a go
Quick check: read the diagram
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Your answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Eight technologies and their effect on developers
| Technology | Example | What developers must think about |
|---|---|---|
| Operational technology | Traffic lights, factory lines | Safety, reliability. A bug can hurt people. |
| Internet of Things | Smart doorbell, thermostat | Many small devices, weak security, updates |
| Robotics and automation | Warehouse robots, ticket gates | Testing in the real world, safety, jobs that change |
| Cloud services and platforms | Online storage, hosting | Costs, security, using more or fewer computers when needed |
| Drones | Delivery, farm checks | Rules for flying, battery, safe control |
| 3D printing | Parts, models, prototypes | Design files, material limits, quality checks |
| 5G and faster networks | Video, connected cars | More devices at once, less delay |
| Broadband for more people | Home working, online learning | More users who want fast internet |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Try it: a smart thermostat
target = 20
readings = [17, 19, 20, 22, 18]
for reading in readings:
if reading < target:
print(reading, "is cold: heating on")
else:
print(reading, "is warm enough: heating off")
# Change the target to 18 and run it again.
When code controls real machines
data-callouts.warning.label
A bug in a game costs a life in the game. A bug in the software of a traffic light or a medical machine can hurt a person. Operational technology needs extra care, testing and security.