I think most engineers would argue that they are challenged on a daily basis. That is the function of an engineer, right? Solve a problem.
But many of my conversations with engineers in the appliance world seem to revolve around cost. Yes, there has been discussion of user-focused design and sensor technology, but I think many would agree that in today’s economy, cost is the main focus of most appliance engineers.
Does that really keep you motivated?
Yes, the bottom line is important — and necessary to survive in today’s industry — but I think we all need to be reminded of the bigger picture once in a while. That our jobs are more than just the day to day. That we do matter beyond saving the all-mighty dollar, euro, or yen.
About 2 years ago, the National Academy of Engineering released 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering. In case you haven’t seen the list, here it is:
- Make solar energy economical
- Provide energy from fusion
- Develop carbon sequestration methods
- Manage the nitrogen cycle
- Provide access to clean water
- Restore and improve urban infrastructure
- Advance health informatics
- Engineer better medicines
- Reverse-engineer the brain
- Prevent nuclear terror
- Secure cyberspace
- Enhance virtual reality
- Advance personalized learning
- Engineer the tools of scientific discovery
This is huge stuff. And while none of these will most likely appear in your job description, it’s a nice reminder of what engineers can do. That they literally change the world we live in.
Of course, you probably aren’t managing the nitrogen cycle or preventing nuclear terror in your cubicle, but this does include you, the appliance engineer. You help change the world. Don’t underestimate what the dishwasher and microwave have done for today’s lifestyles.
The point here is that changing the world means innovation. And innovation comes from freethinking, right? Outside of the day to day. At least once in a while.
So look beyond your job description. What engineering challenges have you set for yourself? Better yet, what are the grand engineering challenges the appliance industry will have to face next 5, 10, 15 years?
Granted, the list would inevitably include finding a way to make today’s high-tech appliances more affordable. But there is more, isn’t there?
After a bout with a illness I saw several flaws in the fridge design and saw how it was not ready for the aging Population or the disabled person accessing it from a wheelchair.
From this I search for a Fridge to meet my needs , buy it didn’t exist , so I built it myself.
My Fridge exceeds the ADA standards as a Fully-Accessible ECO-Friendly , Oil-Free , Tool-free,Cordless, space-saver , dual-access,pass-thru,dust bunny-free design with the standard 28 cu ft 68″ version and the 74″ with a 4-6″ pedestal for tall person such as 7.0′+ sports players.
I reduce the shipping carton by 25% while making the Fridge lighter and using gravity and leverage instead of nuts and bolts or sheets of metal .
One feature which is not revealed at this point is a child-safety item to tackle the 17’000 kids per year getting scalds or burns in the home which are mostly the Kitchen cooking area , i have a Insulin storage section and a child Anti-Obesity area with Healty food controlled by the care giver between the main meals.
My fridge is currently on the NASA Design Contest in 3 catagories since I have a Medical/Military blood storage version as a modular Unit to ship into a troubled zone , and you can click on my menu item for NASA Contest or Zero-Gravity fridge to see my promo images made from the CAD stills .
The SASS-E fridge by me will have a ADA reach factor of only 14 inches to access any item at chest level from a wheelchair along with doors that can have a swept area arc of over 180 degrees.
The Kitchen had to be redesign as a fully Accessible unit from a wheelchair and it’s meant to be paired up wiyth my fridge.
The Kitchen triangle is DEAD, and I killed it in 2007 and people will never go back to the dinosaur fridges still being made today.