2210 · 0478Paper 1 · Computer Systems§6.1, §6.2, §6.3

6. Automated and Emerging Technologies

Automated systems with sensors, microprocessors and actuators; robotics; and artificial intelligence including expert systems and machine learning.

In the 2029–31 syllabus this splits into Topic 6 (Automated systems and robotics, named sectors only) and Topic 7 (AI with machine learning and neural networks, plus quantum computers). What changes in 2029 → · Study the new topics: 6. Automated systems and robotics, 7. Emerging technologies

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Statometer71CoreNext Paper 189%

Marks a paper11.1 · 15%Rank#8 of 10 · #6 on P1Trend · last 12→Full stats

Everything for this topic — study hub

O Level / IGCSE · 2210 · 0478 · Paper 1

This topic is rows 18–20 of the study route.Open it on your study route

Statometer — what 25 real papers say about this topic and each of its 3 syllabus bullets

Core · #8 of 10 in O Level / IGCSE · recomputed with every new session

Core#8 of 10 in O Level / IGCSE#6 on Paper 1→ Steady

A regular, well-paid topic — you cannot afford a gap here.

Next Paper 1: 89%; 9 in 10 chance it is set
Marks a paper: 11.1 / 75; 15% of Paper 1 · fair share 17%
Appeared in: 23 / 25; Paper 1 sittings 2023–2026
Last set: May/Jun 2026; 0478/13 · Q6 · 7 marks · 11-series streak

Marks in each of the last 12 Paper 1 sittingsOct/Nov 24 → May/Jun 26

What the papers say

Set in 23 of 25 Paper 1 sittings on the current syllabus — treat it as certain.
Worth about 11.1 marks a paper (15% of Paper 1).
Last set May/Jun 2026 · 0478/13 · Q6 for 7 marks — in the most recent series.
Set in each of the last 11 series without a miss.
Steady at around 11.9 marks a paper year on year.
Lives on “Describe” and “Give” — 71% of its questions: full sentences with a reason, not one-word answers.
Most of its marks (88%) come in extended questions of 6+ marks — plan the answer before writing.
Its biggest question so far: 23 marks (May/Jun 2025 · 2210/12 · Q5).
Inside the topic, §6.1 Automated systems carries the most marks (63%) and §6.2 Robotics the least (13%).
It is examined almost entirely as AO1 (Knowledge & understanding, 78%) — definitions and descriptions in syllabus words score.
The examiner has commented on 52 of its questions — read “What the examiner said” before you practise.

Command words

Share of questions using the word (a question can use several). What each wants →

Question shapes

1–2 mk1
3–4 mk11
5–6 mk27
7–9 mk44
10+ mk20

Average 7.9 marks a question · 14% with a figure or table · 22% with code · biggest 23 marks

Assessment objectives — how it is examined

Every part of every current-syllabus question filed under Cambridge's AO1 / AO2 / AO3 (from its command word and what it asks you to do), so you know whether this topic pays for definitions, for applying, or for judging and building.

AO1 78%

AO3 15%

AO1 Knowledge & understanding
AO2 Apply to a context
AO3 Evaluate & judge

Paper 1 as a whole

Paper 1	Syllabus	Measured
AO1 Knowledge & understanding	60%	64%
AO2 Apply to a context	20%	24%
AO3 Evaluate & judge	20%	12%

Syllabus = Cambridge's grid; measured = the bank's current-syllabus papers.

Inside the topic — every syllabus bullet, measured

Each part of each question is filed under the bullet it examines; the numbers are per Paper 1 sitting, exactly like the topic's. Open a bullet for its own Statometer.

6.1Automated systems#17 of 20 on Paper 1Regular · 4352% next paper2.4 marks13/25 sittings↘ May/Jun 2026Regular · 4352%
2.4 · 63% of topic13/25May/Jun 2026latest series · ↘
Set most sessions for a few marks; know the definition and one example.Syllabus: sensors, microprocessors and actuators working together; advantages and disadvantages in industry, transport, agriculture, weather, gaming, lighting and science
Next Paper 1
52%
5 in 10
Marks a paper
2.4
3% of the paper · 63% of the topic
Asked in
13 / 25
Paper 1 sittings · 71 questions
Last asked
May/Jun 2026
2210/11 · Q7 · 2.5 marks · 11-series streak
Asked in 13 of 25 Paper 1 sittings — about 5 papers in 10.
About 2.4 marks a paper (3% of Paper 1; 63% of the topic's marks across its 3 bullets).
Last asked May/Jun 2026 · 2210/11 · Q7 (2.5 marks) — in the most recent series.
Asked in each of the last 11 series.
Easing: 2.8 → 2.3 marks a paper.
Usually “Describe” or “Explain”: full sentences with a reason, not one-word answers.
Biggest chunk of marks so far: 12 in May/Jun 2025 · 0478/13 · Q6.
It is examined almost entirely as AO1 (Knowledge & understanding, 83%) — definitions and descriptions in syllabus words score.
Last 12 sittings↘ Easing
Assessment objectives
AO1 83%
AO3 17%
AO1 Knowledge & understanding
AO2 Apply to a context
AO3 Evaluate & judge
Describe55%
Explain34%
Give30%
Identify27%
Practise its 71 questions Biggest: 12 marks · May/Jun 2025
6.2Robotics#16 of 20 on Paper 1Regular · 4547% next paper2.9 marks11/25 sittings→ May/Jun 2026Regular · 4547%
2.9 · 13% of topic11/25May/Jun 2026latest series · →
Set most sessions for a few marks; know the definition and one example.Syllabus: what robotics is; the characteristics of a robot; the roles robots perform and the advantages and disadvantages of using them
Next Paper 1
47%
2 in 4
Marks a paper
2.9
4% of the paper · 13% of the topic
Asked in
11 / 25
Paper 1 sittings · 16 questions
Last asked
May/Jun 2026
2210/11 · Q7 · 6.5 marks · 4-series streak
Asked in 11 of 25 Paper 1 sittings — roughly one paper in 2.
About 2.9 marks a paper (4% of Paper 1; 13% of the topic's marks across its 3 bullets).
Last asked May/Jun 2026 · 2210/11 · Q7 (6.5 marks) — in the most recent series.
Asked in each of the last 4 series.
Usually “Give” or “Explain”: short, precise answers in syllabus words.
Biggest chunk of marks so far: 12.5 in May/Jun 2024 · 2210/11 · Q8.
It is examined mostly as AO1 (Knowledge & understanding, 58%), the rest AO3 (36%) — definitions and descriptions in syllabus words score.
Last 12 sittings→ Steady
Assessment objectives
AO1 58%
AO3 36%
AO1 Knowledge & understanding
AO2 Apply to a context
AO3 Evaluate & judge
Give81%
Explain63%
Describe50%
State25%
Practise its 16 questions Biggest: 12.5 marks · May/Jun 2024
6.3Artificial intelligence#9 of 20 on Paper 1Core · 6275% next paper3.6 marks19/25 sittings→ May/Jun 2026Core · 6275%
3.6 · 24% of topic19/25May/Jun 2026latest series · →
A regular earner inside the topic — most papers touch it.Syllabus: what AI is; its main characteristics; expert systems (knowledge base, rule base, inference engine, interface) and machine learning
Next Paper 1
75%
7 in 10
Marks a paper
3.6
5% of the paper · 24% of the topic
Asked in
19 / 25
Paper 1 sittings · 33 questions
Last asked
May/Jun 2026
0478/13 · Q6 · 7 marks
Asked in 19 of 25 Paper 1 sittings — about 8 papers in 10.
About 3.6 marks a paper (5% of Paper 1; 24% of the topic's marks across its 3 bullets).
Last asked May/Jun 2026 · 0478/13 · Q6 (7 marks) — in the most recent series.
Usually “Describe” or “Give”: full sentences with a reason, not one-word answers.
Biggest chunk of marks so far: 9 in Oct/Nov 2023 · 2210/13 · Q10.
It is examined almost entirely as AO1 (Knowledge & understanding, 93%) — definitions and descriptions in syllabus words score.
Last 12 sittings→ Steady
Assessment objectives
AO1 93%
AO1 Knowledge & understanding
AO2 Apply to a context
AO3 Evaluate & judge
Describe55%
Give46%
Explain46%
Identify21%
Practise its 33 questions Biggest: 9 marks · Oct/Nov 2023

15% of the topic's marks sit in question parts that belong to another topic (scenario questions cross sections) or that no bullet claims; they count for the topic, not for a bullet.

Marks a paper, year by year

1011121314151617181920212223242526

Grey years are the previous syllabus (2010–2022, 76 questions) — history, not counted in the rates.

By exam series

Feb/Mar4/4 · 16.3 mk
May/Jun11/12 · 9.8 mk
Oct/Nov8/9 · 10.3 mk

Practise 103 real questions Smart Notes Quiz Flashcards Every topic on the Statometer

What you need to know3syllabus §6.1, §6.2, §6.3

6.1Automated systems — sensors, microprocessors and actuators working together; advantages and disadvantages in industry, transport, agriculture, weather, gaming, lighting and science
6.2Robotics — what robotics is; the characteristics of a robot; the roles robots perform and the advantages and disadvantages of using them
6.3Artificial intelligence — what AI is; its main characteristics; expert systems (knowledge base, rule base, inference engine, interface) and machine learning

Video lectures3ZAK's YouTube channel · play here

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Infographics2draw these the way the examiner expects · download as PNG

Automated systems: sensor → actuator

O Level

Expert systems & machine learning

O Level

Browse all infographics →

Key terms9use these exact words in the exam

sensor actuatormicroprocessorroboticsartificial intelligence expert system machine learningknowledge baseinference engine

Dotted terms are defined in the glossary.

Code help2referenced to the Cambridge pseudocode guide

Greenhouse controller (sensor → microprocessor → actuator)

pseudocode Run in Playground

DECLARE Temp : REAL
DECLARE Reading : INTEGER
FOR Reading ← 1 TO 3
   INPUT Temp                // from the temperature sensor
   IF Temp > 25.0 THEN
      OUTPUT "Open vent (actuator ON)"
   ELSE
      IF Temp < 18.0 THEN
         OUTPUT "Heater ON"
      ELSE
         OUTPUT "No action"
      ENDIF
   ENDIF
NEXT Reading

💡 In the Playground, type inputs like 27.5, 15, 21 in the INPUT box.

Expert-system style rules

pseudocode Run in Playground

DECLARE Fever, Cough, Rash : BOOLEAN
Fever ← TRUE
Cough ← TRUE
Rash ← FALSE
// rule base
IF Fever AND Cough THEN
   OUTPUT "Possible flu (rule 1)"
ENDIF
IF Fever AND Rash THEN
   OUTPUT "Possible measles (rule 2)"
ENDIF

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