We humans rule the world, don’t we? How do you think we can take and maintain control? The simple answer is engineering and technology. Engineering highlights the problem of our world and through technology, we find solutions. We have faced quite a lot of challenges and could overcome them with engineering and technology. Eventually, we will be capable of developing more innovative solutions that will benefit mankind. Engineering is the knowledge that is applied to manufacture new things whereas technology is the manufactured product, so to speak.
Now that you are well versed with the introduction to technology and engineering, let’s move on to understanding the significance of each and how they compare.
Importance of technology
From the time you wake up to the moment you go to bed, you interact with technology a lot. So much so that keeping track of all activities is infeasible. What do you think is the reason for the extensive integration of technology in our lives? Undoubtedly, it is the convenience that technology brings, which simplifies our lives. Modern technology is unstoppable—this should not be hyperbole anymore. In essence, we can hardly contemplate how our lives would have been without it. That’s how important technology had become to us now.
Take a look at any aspect of your life, and you will find the utility of technology. In the aspect of friends and family, you can witness technology allowing you to stay in touch and thus constantly keep tabs on them. Advanced technologies such as 3D printing, wearable devices, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), big data, and blockchain are transforming health care. This positively impacts the health aspect. In the finance aspect, technologies such as data analytics, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and cognitive technology are making remarkable impressions. Likewise, you will find the life-altering effect of technology in other parts of your life.
Value of engineering
The implications of technology are unquestionably impressive, but the importance of engineering is imposing too. As we mentioned earlier, engineering is the knowledge applied to develop things. There is a lot to learn from our universe. Engineering studies the world around us and helps in designing infrastructure that is safe, efficient, and effective. This includes studying the interactions between different elements. Therefore, it aids in creating infrastructure that protects the environment and people in it.
We need engineering to bring innovations and move towards technological advancement. The possibilities are endless. See our modern world. If it were not for engineering, we would never have been able to tap into our potential and achieve the goal of creating a better world. We, humans, are known for being curious. Engineering satisfies our curiosity and paves the path for development. It is more like the architect, where the use of engineering culminates in the development of technology. Ergo, maybe it is not about pitting the technology against engineering but about understanding their interrelatedness.
Technology vs engineering: How different are they?
Having covered how essential engineering and technology are, it’s time we look at their comparison. The following are factors that help us understand the distinction between engineering and technology:
Scope and orientation
The scope of engineering and technology is wide. However, engineering is specific to tasks whereas technology has broad applications. Consider rehabilitation engineering for example. This field of engineering takes into consideration people who need prosthetics to regain normal functions in the affected body parts. Therefore, this type of engineering focuses on specific tasks, i.e., designing and developing prosthetic devices. On the other hand, take MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) technology into account. This technology is not specific to certain individuals. Instead, it can be used for everyone.
Taking the orientation factor into deliberation, we can say technology is action-based whereas engineering is knowledge-based. To comprehend this further, let us pick a handy example. In the construction of a building, several factors are taken heed of. For instance, let’s isolate the power distribution factor. Engineering designs the power distribution system by considering electrical loads, the number of circuits, and many more elements. Then, the technology is used to construct the designed system. Similarly, a wide array of systems involved in building construction are conceived by engineering, then constructed with technology.
Issue-resolution connection
We pointed out in the earlier section that engineering studies the universe. That way, it can be compared to studying a problem, where engineering questions the processes. Engineering asks necessary questions that help us understand the issue to create a solution. It then applies those principles to developing technology that solves the difficulties. Hence, technology can be compared to an answer.
We’ll help you comprehend this better with the help of an example. Engineering presents questions such as how to control the heart to enable patients to continue living. The answer is developing pacemaker technology. You see, this way, engineering works on real-life problems, developing prototypes to find solutions. These answers are implemented in the form of developing technology, which results in resolving the initial concerns.
Reliability of technology and engineering
When it comes to building something new, current technology is more reliable compared to engineering a new one. That is because the technology has been tested rigorously over the years and can be used as a foundation in planning a new one. In other words, the existing technology comes handy when compared to devising new. However, it is engineering that makes technology possible. The principles of engineering are applied to build technologies that serve mankind. The engineering project creates trial products, which are, upon success, mass-produced and called technology.
Your sentiments about technology vs engineering?
Now that we have come to the end of the analysis, you might have realized there is a slight difference between technology and engineering. Therefore, the two terms are often mistaken. We hope we provided clarification and eliminated confusion. Also, what are your opinions on technology vs engineering? Do you think we can favor one when their integration has the potential to take us to new heights and improve our quality of life? Let us know.