In this blog post, we will take a look at how deeply modern society relies on machines and consider whether it is possible to live without them.
In the 21st century, people can easily contact others with their mobile phones, work with computers, and move to other places using transportation such as cars. And now we take these things for granted. However, people in the days before these things lived like this. They communicated through letters that took a very long time to arrive, preserved everything by handwriting, and moved around on foot or by using the power of animals. Now, what would happen to the world if the mobile phones, computers, and cars that modern people live with in 2024 were suddenly taken away? Would the world be able to move on as if nothing had happened?
When we think about these questions, we realize how deeply modern technology has penetrated our daily lives. Technological advancements have changed our way of life, going beyond simply bringing convenience. Today, we can connect with the world through the Internet, solve complex problems using artificial intelligence, and control everything in our homes with smart home appliances. All of this has become an “everyday” thing that we accept almost without realizing it. However, it took a lot of research and development for technology to make this possible. At the center of it all is mechanical engineering.
It is machines, such as mobile phones and cars, that are adding speed and convenience to the lives of modern people. And the discipline that develops and studies these machines is mechanical engineering. When most people hear the word “mechanical engineering,” they think of dull and complicated machines, but in fact, mechanical engineering starts with very simple areas of everyday life. For example, children’s toy cars are all related to mechanical engineering. Mechanical engineering provides practical solutions to questions such as “How can we make toy cars move?” and “How can we make toys safer?” Mechanical engineering also plays an important role in making human life safer and more prosperous.
As automotive safety technology has advanced, airbag systems and autonomous driving technology have been developed to minimize the impact of accidents, and these technologies are saving countless lives. Mechanical engineering also contributes to maximizing energy efficiency, which has enabled the development of eco-friendly transportation methods such as today’s electric vehicles. Mechanical engineering is driving innovation in all aspects of our lives, and its importance is growing day by day.
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is exploring the knowledge and technology to make it easier and faster to use machines that accompany all areas of human life and to control them effectively. Mechanical engineering covers a wide range of sizes, from aerospace technology that covers millions of kilometers to ultra-micro robotics technology at the nanometer (billionth of a meter) level. Among them, the most prominent field in mechanical engineering is the transportation sector, which deals with machines such as automobiles, railways, and aircraft. The distance from Seoul to Busan, which used to take two weeks on foot, is now just a short distance of four hours by car, two hours by train, and just over an hour by plane. And in the future, as high-speed train technology and supersonic aircraft technology develop, that time will be even faster. These developments will make the movement of people and goods faster and allow us to use our time more efficiently. The world is accelerating faster and faster on the foundation of mechanical engineering.
The development of mechanical engineering is expanding the limits of human possibilities, not just physically. For example, space exploration and deep-sea exploration, which were unimaginable in the past, are now a reality thanks to the achievements of mechanical engineering. Humanity is moving into a new world through mechanical engineering, and in the process, it is facing new challenges and opportunities.
Recent mechanical engineering is expanding its scope even further through convergence and integration with various disciplines. Energy technology that uses scarce energy resources more efficiently and develops new and renewable energy, biomechanics that studies the development of artificial organs for humans and the treatment of diseases using micro robots, and even emotional engineering that encompasses the realm of human emotion and spirit, all of these areas of technology are always present in mechanical engineering. In the future, the field of mechanical engineering will be combined with more and more fields, and as a result, a higher level of research and more advanced technology will be required.
In addition, mechanical engineering is providing solutions for environmental protection and sustainable development. Climate change and environmental issues are important global issues, and there is a pressing need to develop technologies to address them. Mechanical engineering plays an important role in developing technologies that increase energy efficiency, developing alternative energy sources, and designing environmentally friendly mechanical systems that minimize environmental pollution. These technologies will make a great contribution to solving problems directly related to the survival of humanity in the future.
The world’s population has already exceeded 7 billion. And for those 7 billion people to coexist and enjoy a more prosperous life, machines are indispensable. We can no longer imagine a world without mobile phones, computers, and cars. Considering that the development of civilization has gone hand in hand with the development of machines, and that the standard of living of all humanity has improved as a result, it can be said that machines are the most powerful driving force in the world.
Machines are no longer just tools. They are playing a role as a medium of creation that improves the quality of human life and opens up new possibilities. As long as the development of mechanical engineering continues, humanity will continue to create a new world. As we envision a future in which machines and humans develop together, we look forward to what new innovations await us in the future.
