Systems, sensors and embedded intelligence
Modern products increasingly sense their environment and respond automatically — a fridge that beeps when the door is left open, or a bike light that switches on in the dark.
Part of your national curriculum
- Technical knowledge: Understand how more advanced mechanical and electrical systems can be used in their products, and apply computing to embed intelligence in products
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand how more advanced mechanical and electrical systems can be used in their products, and apply computing to embed intelligence in products
Key learning points
- • Mechanical and electrical systems
- • Sensors as inputs
- • Embedding intelligence with computing
This lesson at a glance
- 28 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
Systems, sensors and embedded intelligence
Modern products increasingly sense their environment and respond automatically — a fridge that beeps when the door is left open, or a bike light that switches on in the dark.
In a nutshell
Understand how more advanced mechanical and electrical systems can be used in their products, and apply computing to embed intelligence in products
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Mechanical and electrical systems
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Mechanical and electrical systems
A system takes an input, processes it, and produces an output. A simple electrical system might use a switch (input), a circuit (process) and a buzzer (output). More advanced systems combine sensors, motors and gears to detect conditions and react to them.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
Sensors as inputs
Light-dependent resistors, temperature sensors and push switches all convert something physical into an electrical signal a circuit or microcontroller can use, allowing a product to 'know' about its surroundings.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Embedding intelligence with computing
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Embedding intelligence with computing
Microcontrollers, such as those used in simple programmable boards, run code that decides what output happens for a given input — for example, turning on an LED only when a sensor reading passes a set threshold. This is how 'smart' behaviour is added to everyday products.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
A simple ____ system might use a switch (input), a circuit (process) and a buzzer (output).
More ____ systems combine sensors, motors and gears to detect conditions and react to them.
This is how 'smart' behaviour is added to everyday ____.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
In a system, what does a sensor provide?
Card 1 of 3
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Systems, sensors and embedded intelligence
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. In a system, what does a sensor provide?
2. What runs the code that decides a product's output?
3. A light-dependent resistor is an example of a…
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
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Understand how more advanced mechanical and electrical systems can be used in their products, and apply computing to embed intelligence in products