Over the next two decades, mechanical engineers will be called on to develop technologies that foster a cleaner, healthier, safer and sustainable global environment, according to a new report from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Collaborating with partners worldwide will allow MEs to apply innovative solutions and best practices.
“Mechanical engineers can be at the forefront of developing new technology,” says the report, which is based on the proceedings of The Global Summit on the Future of Mechanical Engineering, held April 16-18 in Washington, D.C. The summit, hosted by ASME at the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, convened more than 120 engineering and science leaders from 19 countries.
Among the challenges, sustainable development will be a shared vision in the worldwide technical community, involving collaboration tools that allow “mechanical engineers to tap into the collective wisdom of an organization or network of stakeholders,” says the ASME report.
Other topics examined at the summit and discussed in the report include intellectual property, engineering education and lifelong learning, diversity, virtual design environments and home-based fabrication.
“Engineers will be able to act as independent operators interacting with colleagues around the world,” the report says.
