Although the future is only a few years away, one thing is for certain: engineers will play a significant part in designing the challenges of tomorrow. They take engineering data into actionable insights by constructing the critical infrastructure that society relies on, spanning the road from concept to realistic construction. We can’t predict what our world will look like in 10, 20, or 30 years since technology is moving so quickly, but we can be sure that engineers will have played a big role in molding Impact of Engineers on the Future, whatever new wonders emerge.
3D Printing:
After early recognition of 3D printing’s promise, the technical workforce worked fast to make the new tech more friendly and accessible to the general users. 3D printers can now generate everything from imitation human organs and genuine houses, to food and solar panels, all at a fraction of the price of traditional methods.
Energy Harvesting:
In 2016, MIT researchers developed a compact energy harvester that can capture low-frequency vibrations, such as those produced by a bridge or pipeline, and convert them to power for wireless sensors. From monitoring factory operations and oil pipelines to trying to keep track of pollution, wireless sensors have a wide range of applications. The MIT technology, a micro – electromechanical system that turns low-frequency vibrations into electricity from foot traffic and other low-power energy sources in the area, could eliminate the necessity batteries entirely.
Autonomous cars:
Even more of the world’s biggest automakers (Ford, Toyota, Volvo) are releasing concept autonomous vehicles. But, thanks to recent developments by Google and Tesla in the industry, self-driving cars are closer than they have ever been. According to mechanical engineers, American transportation will be totally driverless over the next 20 years. Car-to-car or vehicle-to-vehicle communication, which allows cars to broadcast their direction, speed, steering-wheel placement, brake state, and other data to other vehicles within a few hundred meters, is now being used to test-drive cars. This indicates that low-cost, entry-level autonomous vehicles will be able to sense their surroundings without human intervention in the next few years, paving the way for fully automatic driverless automobiles by 2030.
Engineers are confronted with the problems of a complicated, increasingly linked world that needs greater creativity, usefulness, and convenience. This necessitates that the engineering profession continually renews itself in order to cultivate individuals who can lead, recognize and solve challenges, and seek out and pursue tomorrow’s prospects as they form the future.
