What characteristic differentiates Cyber Physical Systems from traditional systems?

The distinguishing characteristic of Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) is the integration of computational elements with physical processes. This means that CPS combine computing devices and algorithms with physical components to create a system where both the cyber and physical elements continuously interact with one another. For example, in a smart manufacturing environment, sensors gather data from machines and transmit it to a computer system that analyzes the information and can make adjustments in real-time to optimize performance.

This integration allows CPS to operate in a more dynamic and adaptive manner compared to traditional systems, which usually operate in a more isolated or sequential fashion, where mechanical and computational components are not as tightly intertwined. Traditional systems often rely on human intervention or simpler analog controls, whereas CPS can self-regulate and inform each other through advanced algorithms and connectivity, particularly with the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Moreover, the other options reference limitations or characteristics that do not accurately describe CPS. For example, the inability to connect to the internet contradicts the connected nature of these systems. Dependence solely on mechanical components ignores the critical role of computation in CPS, and limitations to manual operations do not reflect the automated and intelligent capabilities of Cyber Physical Systems. Thus, the integration of computational and physical elements is what sets CPS