Engineering is an ever-evolving field, and with the dawn of a new year comes new trends in the engineering world.
It’s never too early to look into emerging trends that have the potential to shape the engineering industry this upcoming year!
With so much technology making leaps and bounds each day, these nine trends can help you make sense of what’s coming up in 2023. Whether you’re a student looking for inspiration or an engineer eager to stay abreast of what technologies are on deck, get ready for a ride through these inspiring movements!
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most buzzed-about technologies in the engineering world, and for good reason. The end of 2022 saw ChatGBT take the internet by storm as it blew away our preconceptions of what AI would look like in reality.
AI has the potential to transform a variety of industries, from manufacturing to healthcare. AI can help to improve efficiency and accuracy in a variety of tasks, from design to quality control. As such, it’s no surprise that AI is one of the most popular trends in engineering.
3D Printing
3D printing is another trend that is gaining a lot of traction in the engineering world.
3D printing technology allows for the creation of three-dimensional objects from a digital file. This technology has a wide range of applications, from creating prototypes to manufacturing end-use products. Additionally, 3D printing can be used to create customized products, which is ideal for small-batch production or one-off items.
The last year saw more incremental improvements in the technology and more large manufacturers start turning to additive engineering in their manufacturing processes.
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that superimposes computer-generated images, sounds, and other sensory inputs onto the real world. In the engineering sector, AR has the potential to revolutionize the way engineers design, visualize, and test products and systems.
AR is already used for training and education in the engineering field. It allows students and workers to learn and practice skills in a simulated environment, reducing the need for costly and time-consuming physical training.
However, the next few years will see AR be used more in engineering as it improves the design process. Engineers can use AR to visualize and interact with 3D models of their designs in real time, allowing them to make more informed decisions and catch design flaws earlier in the process. This can help reduce the need for physical prototypes and speed up the overall design process.
We expect to see AR used in the manufacturing process to help workers assemble and maintain complex systems. For example, AR can provide visual instructions or highlight specific parts or components that need attention, making the process easier and more efficient.
Overall, AR has the potential to significantly impact the engineering sector by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing the design and manufacturing process.
Internet of Things
The term internet of things (IoT) normally refers to a whole host of different devices including vehicles, home appliances, and other items that are connected to the internet and can collect and exchange data.
This means that IoT has a wide host of potential applications in engineering, from monitoring and control systems to data analytics and predictive maintenance.
It is difficult to predict exactly how the Internet of Things (IoT) will play out in 2023 as it depends on many factors such as technological advancements, market demand, and regulatory developments.
However, the last decade has already seen some big trends already play out and these are likely to continue shaping the IoT landscape:
Increased connectivity: The number of IoT devices is expected to continue growing rapidly, leading to an increase in the amount of data being generated and shared. This will require improvements in networking technologies and infrastructure to support the increasing volume of data and devices.
Greater security and privacy: As the IoT becomes more prevalent, concerns about security and privacy will become more pressing. This will likely lead to the development of more robust security measures and the adoption of new standards and regulations to protect against cyber attacks and data breaches.
Increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning: The IoT generates vast amounts of data, which can be analyzed using AI and machine learning algorithms to extract valuable insights and automate processes. This will likely lead to the widespread adoption of these technologies in the IoT ecosystem.
Greater interoperability: As the number of IoT devices and systems grows, it will become increasingly important for them to be able to communicate and interoperate with each other. This will require the development of common protocols and standards to facilitate interoperability.
The rise of edge computing: As the volume of data generated by the IoT increases, it will become impractical to transmit all of this data to the cloud for processing. This will lead to the growth of edge computing, in which data is processed at the source, closer to the devices that generate it.
It is likely that the IoT will continue to grow and evolve over the next few years, bringing significant changes to a wide range of industries and applications.
Cybersecurity
As more and more devices are connected to the internet, cybersecurity becomes an increasingly important concern for systems engineers.
Engineers must design systems that are secure against attacks from hackers or malware. Additionally, engineers must also consider how to protect data privacy and ensure compliance with data security regulations.
The next year will see the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. New AI and machine learning technologies are being increasingly used in cybersecurity to automate threat detection, prevent attacks, and respond to incidents. These technologies are expected to continue advancing and becoming more widely adopted in the coming years.
Within the EU there has long been a greater emphasis on privacy and data protection. We have yet to see the fallout of Brexit in the UK and what will be retained from existing GDPR legislation as new laws to replace it are drafted. As the importance of data privacy and protection continues to grow, organizations are expected to focus more on securing personal and sensitive information. This may involve the adoption of new regulations and technologies, such as encryption and identity and access management (IAM) solutions.
The Continuing Rise of Electric Vehicles
The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to continue growing in the coming years, driven by a variety of factors including concerns about climate change, the declining cost of batteries, and government incentives.
The exact trajectory of the EV market in 2023 is difficult to predict but we expect to see continued cost reductions as battery prices fall and manufacturing efficiency improves. Wider availability of charging infrastructure as the number of EVs on the road increases, the need for charging infrastructure will also grow. Governments, utilities, and private companies are likely to invest in the development of new charging stations to support the growing number of EVs.
However, it might well be that engineers are seen working on completely new systems to support EVs as new business models emerge. We expect to see the growth of the EV market lead to the development of new techologies like, EV only ride-sharing apps and subscription-based services, that take advantage of the unique characteristics of EVs.
The Growth of renewable energy
Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are becoming increasingly commonplace.
This has been due to a combination of factors, including falling costs and government incentives. We see no reason for the boom in renewable energy to slow going into the new year as the tech becomes more affordable and reliable.
The Rise of Big Data
Big data is a term used to describe large data sets that can be analyzed to reveal patterns and trends. These large volumes of data that are generated and collected by organizations can come from a variety of sources such as social media, sensors, and transaction records. This data is typically too large and complex to be processed and analyzed using traditional methods, and requires specialized tools and technologies to extract value from it.
Big data is becoming increasingly important in a variety of industries, as it can be used to improve efficiency and make better decisions.
Big data has the potential to transform many industries and sectors, as it allows organizations to gain insights and make data-driven decisions that can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and drive innovation. It has the potential to significantly impact the engineering sector by enabling engineers to gain insights and make data-driven decisions that can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and drive innovation.
Engineers will use big data to analyze and optimize the design of products and systems. For example, they can use data from simulations, sensors, and other sources to identify areas for improvement and optimize the performance of their designs or use it to predict when equipment is likely to fail, allowing engineers to proactively schedule maintenance and repairs. This can help reduce downtime and improve the reliability of systems.
Engineers can also use big data to monitor the quality of products and identify issues in real-time, allowing them to take corrective action and improve the overall quality of their products. The tech has the potential to revolutionize the way engineers work and enable them to make more informed and data-driven decisions, which can lead to more efficient and effective designs and processes.
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is a type of computing where information is processed using quantum bits instead of classical bits. Quantum computers are much faster and more powerful than traditional computers and can be used for tasks such as simulation and optimization.
While still in the very early stages of development, quantum computers have the potential to revolutionize a wide range of fields, including engineering.
Quantum computers can perform simulations and optimization calculations much faster than classical computers, allowing engineers to quickly analyze and optimize the design of complex systems; or could be used to simulate the properties of materials at the atomic level, helping engineers to design and create new materials with improved properties.
Realistically we think that Quantum computers might not significantly impact the engineering sector in 2023, but once the technology matures we believe it could have one of the most transformative impacts on the sector as engineers perform complex calculations and simulations much faster and more accurately than is currently possible, leading to more efficient and effective designs and processes… we might just need to revisit this in 2033.
