Topic > How Computer Engineering Will Help Shape the Future of Technology

The evolution of technology has propelled human progress at an astronomical rate. Today, almost everyone on Earth depends on technology. Computer engineering is the field of study that intertwines computer science and electrical engineering to create and develop computer hardware and software. Computer engineering originated in 1937, when former Iowa State professor John Vincent Atanasoff and graduate student Clifford Berry built the first digital computer. This device was called the Atanasoff-Berry Computer known as "ABC". This project was said to integrate different disciplines such as mathematics, physics and electrical engineering. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay John Vincent Atanasoff and Clifford Berry built the first computer at Iowa State University from 1937 to 1942. This computer did not resemble today's typical computer, it was described as "the size of a large desk, weighed 750 pounds, and featured rotating drums for memory, glowing vacuum tubes, and a read/write system that recorded numbers by burning marks on cards.” Atanasoff and Berry were pioneers in the world of technology as they took a huge leap forward to serve as a catalyst for technological evolution. The ABC computer contained components that are still used in today's computers, such as "a binary system of arithmetic functions, separate memory and calculation functions, ... circuits for logical addition and subtraction, ... and a modular design." Although Atanasoff and Berry created the first computer, they are not the only notable figures in computer engineering. The most famous software engineer is Bill Gates, who founded and served as CEO before resigning from the Microsoft Corporation. Gates and Microsoft introduced the famous Windows operating system on November 20, 1985. This operating system is now used as a canvas for further technological advancements. Another notable software engineer is Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon. Bezos and Amazon released the portable electronic reading device called the Kindle in 2007. The Kindle allowed users to save space by having all their books on one device and having a digital copy instead of traditional paperback or hardcover books. As of 2019, the technology developed through the field of computer engineering has a major effect on human life. Technology like laptops and cell phones allow humans to be much more productive during the day by completing more time-consuming tasks. Computer engineering has also impacted the health of humans with devices such as the MRI machine. The MRI machine is used to create an image to help diagnose a health problem. Time is very precious and it is said that “technology has the ability to be used to reduce stress and time-consuming activities that steal precious moments from the family” (Williams, 2015). Nowadays, humans are able to be more productive thanks to technology. Instead of solving and graphing quadratics manually, calculators can save time by solving these problems very quickly with the necessary information provided. The use of cell phones allows people to connect with other people and organize activities without having to be in the same city or town. Computer engineering is extremely necessary for the progress of man. Without the development of new technologies,human progress would most likely peter out and plateau. The study of the field of computer engineering is rapidly growing, and new innovations are discovered every year. These new innovations will be compatible with existing technology to aid human life. After much research, agriculture will continue to progress with the new innovation of smart irrigation controllers. Farmers can now irrigate their crops effectively and efficiently to produce the greatest amount of produce. As a result of increased production, the farmer can help provide more food to feed the population. Another advancement in technology for humans is the shift from blackboards and whiteboards to smart boards in education. These smart whiteboards allow teachers and professors to display illustrations of teaching materials and provide hands-on learning activities. Computer engineering is a field of study that will never die out. The field of study is still relatively young and there is much potential that can still be developed. Humans will always need new technological advances for human progress. Computer engineering is the solution to this need. Due to the technological advances adopted in automobile manufacturing, computer engineering will join mechanical engineering to continue developing more efficient automobiles. The opportunities are endless with computer engineering, almost every aspect of the environment has some sort of relationship with computer engineering. When describing computer engineering, Kashyap Vyas states, “it will always be on a constant path of improvement and evolution as that is how fast we are actually progressing when it comes to technology” (Vyas, 2018). At the present time, computers cannot create computers, so there will always be a need for computer engineers. Anyone can become a software engineer. Gender, race, or religion can prevent a person from becoming a software engineer. This field of study is rapidly growing due to the expansion of technology into many aspects of life. Software engineers typically work a traditional work schedule of four to five days a week. Their job description will usually include testing different computer hardware and designing different components such as processors, ram sticks, and circuit boards. They often design these different components to build a prototype for a larger project. Their working style is comparable to a puzzle, they work on a small piece to add to the puzzle later and get the bigger picture in the end. The starting salary of a software engineer ranges from $66,000 to $71,000, while experienced software engineers earn from $105,000 to $120,000 depending on the cost of living in the region of the world where they work. There are some basic skills needed to work in this industry. field of study. One of the most sought-after skills is creativity, which is necessary for an engineer to think about how to make a better product than he found it. Another skill an engineer must possess is to be a great analyzer. When something went wrong on the project, they need to be able to sit down and fix the problem. Engineers must also have great communication and teamwork skills. When teams come together to collaborate on an idea, members must be able to adequately express their opinion in the best interest of the project. According to YourFreeCareerTest, hardware engineers are "skilled at solving complex problems, speaking effectively with others, active listening, decision making, and operational analysis, includingother skills." An individual interested in this field of study must be educated. Potential candidates for this field usually obtain a bachelor's degree in computer engineering. Sometimes, degrees such as electrical and computer engineering may be accepted to enter this line of job, but it all depends on the job provider. This is acceptable because computer engineering is a combination of electrical and computer engineering curriculum is very similar to electrical and computer engineering curriculum with only a few different courses clients even decide to double major or specialize in computer science or electrical engineering to more attract job providers, but they will produce increased revenue due to the amount of knowledge they have to offer. As of 2019, the amount of effort and money invested in researching new technological advancements is incredible. Companies like Google, Apple, and Tesla, just to name a few, are constantly working to find the “next big thing” that will change the lives of human beings. Quantum computer, known as supercomputer, is an advancement that the world of technology is trying to conquer. To state how quantum computing is changing lives, Fourtané states, “with its impressive computing power, in the near future quantum computers will be more of a cloud service rather than on-premise machines” (Fourtané, 2018). Tech mega-company IBM already offers cloud-based quantum computing services. Tesla is also in the process of producing cars that don't require a human hand behind the wheel. According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, it is said that “his (Elon Musk) company will launch fully self-driving capabilities by the end of this year and employ robotaxis next year.” Tesla's self-driving feature combines computer engineering and mechanical engineering and could fundamentally change the automotive industry. Computer engineering will continue to advance and thrive in the future. The field of study shows no signs of slowing down in the future. The sky is the limit when it comes to innovations ready to be put into action to serve the greater good of the people. Computer engineering will change with more emphasis on closely impacting the quality of human life, whether in the medical or automotive fields. The field of study will continue to thrive and quickly earn more revenue. The effect that future technology will have on human life will be deeply felt. At the rate of innovations produced, future generations will depend on technology more than ever. The technology of the future will closely influence the quality of life that humans will live. For example, as previously stated, Tesla is developing a fully self-driving car that will allow people to get into their car and drive to a destination without touching the steering wheel. Artificial intelligence is also a trending and research topic for the future. With advancements like Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa, and Google Home, many people have their own personal assistants ready to go. These AI personal assistants can tell a person the weather, their schedule, and even a funny joke now and then. In an article in Fast Company, it states that "according to the report, which surveyed more than 1,600 voice assistant owners, 41 percent of people who own such a system say using it is like talking to a friend." The effect that future technology will have on human life will be increasingly felt. Here..