There’s no doubt that the future of the electrical industry with smart tech is evolving. Research and development are seeing the introduction of new technology, with no sign of this slowing down. China is at the forefront of the electrical industry’s advancements, with the Electrical Equipment and Machinery Manufacturing market size at $14.5 billion. Let’s take a look at some of the trends that are expected to shape the future of the electrical industry.
Innovation of electric vehicles
Electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular across the UK and the world. With the focus on developing renewable energy technologies, many car production companies are moving towards producing solely electric vehicles. Well-known automakers such as Honda, Audi, and Jaguar have committed to going hybrid (a combination of electric and petroleum fuel) by 2030.
Education is also incorporating the introduction of electric vehicles with their courses, allowing engineering students to specialise in electric vehicles. There are also specific postgraduate degrees in automotive electric engineering available at universities across the globe. With engineering and electrical students learning to work on electrical vehicles, this will create a new generation of electrical engineers, to contribute to the future of electronics. Not to mention the higher demand for the installation of electrical charging points will create a large number of jobs – so now is the perfect time to start your career in the electrical industry.
Wearable technology trends
Wearable technology has developed rapidly in the past 2 decades. With the first Bluetooth headset being developed in 2000, we’ve come a long way. Modern smart wearable devices are often connected to the Internet and equipped with sensors to track movement. Smartwatches continue to evolve, with health and sports being the leading industry for these (over 39% market share in 2015).
Not only are they beneficial for entertainment and sports tracking, but they’ve also become helpful in detecting illnesses. The Apple Watch has been known to detect certain health issues and encourage users to see a medical professional, ultimately saving lives. Fitbit can also monitor rises in body temperature, something which can help to detect the beginning of illnesses such as viruses.
In regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, wearable smart devices have been crucial in tracking the spread of the virus. They can even be useful in containing potential outbreaks, letting users know when they may have come into contact with someone carrying the virus.
Artificial intelligence
AI (artificial intelligence) is transforming the electrical and engineering industries. Involved in both software and hardware of the electronics industry, AI helps to streamline and develop complicated production processes. Thanks to machine learning, machinery isn’t always required to have constant human management, learning to design tasks over time.
The automotive industry has been using AI technology for years, evolving from simple engineering roles to advanced, precise operations. These machines are used for complex areas of work, allowing for faster, more efficient production.
You might be thinking that this AI technology is taking jobs away from experienced engineers. However, this isn’t the case. These machines allow engineers to work on more important tasks. Of course, someone will always need to oversee the machines to a degree – which could even produce more jobs!
Robotics
As previously mentioned, robotics may be criticised for taking potential jobs away from people. However, robotics do a great job of completing the more dangerous jobs without putting people at risk. Robotics can also assist electricians in completing their duties. For example, the use of drones has rapidly increased in recent years. They can be used to survey sites before entering, alerting the electrician of potential hazards. This avoids putting people at risk of danger.
Electrical engineers have a unique skill set that can’t be replaced by any machine, so they will only ever be used to assist the worker. Productivity levels will, therefore, rise and individuals will experience safer working conditions.
The future of the electrical industry with smart tech
The introduction of smart technology is definitely something for electrical engineers to be excited about. There’s no need to worry about technology replacing jobs – if anything, it will create more! After all, any piece of technology has the potential to go wrong, and there will always need to be someone there to fix it. Operating, maintaining, and repairing machinery is a job role in its own right. Not to mention the introduction of more technology in domestic settings will create more work for domestic electricians.
The future of the electrical industry with smart tech awaits! Ready to start your career as an electrician? Get in touch with The Trades College to discuss your options.
