Smart Technologies and IoT in Engineering

Smart technologies and the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) in engineering have resulted in an explosion of new technological developments across disciplines. These innovations allow engineers to dream bigger than ever before by enabling the creation of more efficient, adaptive, and interconnected systems. From self-monitoring power grids that are able to head off surges and blackouts with minimal human intervention to bridges that can automatically detect and help prevent serious maintenance issues, smart technologies stand poised to remake the world as we know it.

Smart Technologies in Engineering

"Smart technologies" has become a catch-all term for a vast array of intelligent computer systems that use large quantities of data and machine learning algorithms to streamline processes and enhance efficiency across a range of different platforms.¹ These technologies incorporate real-time data to create adaptive systems. For example, brands such as Waymo, Tesla, and BYD have incorporated smart technologies into their most recent automobile models as they continue to develop and enhance self-driving capabilities.

Smart technologies range from household products like smart refrigerators that can help consumers proactively create grocery lists to smart factories that incorporate real-time data to eliminate waste and drive greater operational efficiency. Engineers have begun to use smart technologies to enhance resilience and safety across diverse engineering projects. Bridges, oil wells, and other large structures are now able to use networks of sensors and algorithmic processes to measure and mitigate stress.

Meanwhile, AI-driven technology has also made its way into the world of administration and planning. Smart software can help managers monitor ongoing processes and make suggestions on how to increase output while honing efficiency.

IoT Applications in Civil Engineering

The concept of the Internet of Things may already be familiar to you from one of its many consumer-driven applications. However, IoT applications will perhaps be most impactful outside the home. For example, IoT technology has allowed for an immense shift in how we design, monitor, and maintain infrastructure.

Previously, large systems such as bridges, skyscrapers, railroads, and oil pipelines relied on traditional reactive maintenance. In other words, engineers would wait for a problem to appear before stepping in to fix it. This inefficient approach to maintenance and repair has led to unnecessary costs and—in some cases—deadly mistakes. Fortunately, smart technology is poised to fundamentally change this via continuous, real-time structural health monitoring.

Powerful sensors can collect and analyze data about structural health, environmental stressors, and ongoing use for all manner of large structures. Engineers can utilize this data to proactively respond to stress before the damage becomes a problem. In addition, all of this data represents a powerful opportunity for creating more robust and efficient structures down the line.

As climate change and other environmental concerns continue to place an ever greater burden on cities and energy grids, IoT-enabled infrastructure will in turn become ever more necessary to conserve energy and create more efficient systems.

Smart Infrastructure in Civil Engineering

Smart infrastructure has grown at a rapid pace as engineers and city planners have come to understand the advantages offered by this emerging technology. For example, complex, AI- and IoT-enabled platforms allow cities to dynamically reroute traffic and more efficiently schedule routine city maintenance and road closures. Such smart infrastructure projects have the potential to create profound downstream effects, such as greater economic output, fewer hours wasted in traffic, and faster emergency response times.

Engineers are increasingly leveraging digital twins—virtual replicas of physical assets—to simulate performance, detect issues early, and optimize operations. This approach enhances predictive maintenance and helps extend the life cycle of critical infrastructure. Although this technology is still developing, high-profile test cases have already produced tangible benefits. The Golden Gate Bridge is a more prominent example. With its network of sensors that monitor wind speed, ongoing stress, and traffic volume, engineers have been able to improve safety and operational efficiency through highly targeted maintenance.²

Smart Infrastructure in Electrical Engineering

Smart infrastructure also includes aspects of electrical engineering. Modern cities face increasing pressure on energy and transportation systems. Traditional power grids struggle to meet growing demands, while fossil fuels drive high carbon emissions and global warming. To address these challenges, smart infrastructure combines renewable energy, smart grid technologies such as AI-driven load balancing and distributed energy management, and innovative transportation systems to create resilient, sustainable cities.³

Microgrids and large-scale energy storage systems are emerging as key enablers of resilient and decentralized power distribution.

A central feature of smart grids is their ability to dynamically respond to faults. With advanced sensors like Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs), grid operators can monitor stability, detect outages, and reroute electricity in real time to prevent widespread blackouts.⁴ At the same time, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar play a critical role. As Deloitte notes, cities, occupying only 2% of Earth’s landmass, consume the majority of global energy. Transitioning urban areas to renewables strengthens both sustainability and economic competitiveness.⁵

Transportation systems are evolving in parallel with energy. Electric vehicles (EVs) not only reduce pollution but also integrate into smart grids through vehicle-to-grid technology, enabling two-way energy exchange.⁶ Beyond EVs, smart transportation leverages IoT sensors, 5G communication, and adaptive traffic management to improve efficiency, safety, and connectivity across urban environments.⁷ Autonomous vehicles further extend this vision by combining traffic camera data and infrastructure sensors to optimize routing and enhance safety for all road users, highlighting the full potential of an interconnected, smart city.⁸

IoT Applications in Electrical Engineering

Intelligent engineering systems have transformed a number of disciplines by creating autonomous optimization powered by predictive analytics, AI, and big data. Machine learning algorithms process vast amounts of information to identify patterns and predict future outcomes. This enables engineers to proactively and remotely manage smart meters for utilities like energy, water, and more.

IoT-powered systems also allow for interoperability across traditionally siloed systems. That means individual components are able to work together toward a single goal. For example, smart buildings have lighting systems that communicate with occupancy sensors, HVAC systems, and security software to create more efficient and responsive environments.

As these systems become increasingly interconnected, cybersecurity in IoT networks is essential to safeguard critical infrastructure from vulnerabilities and digital threats.

One of the most common IoT applications that many people use every day is wireless energy transfer. Electronic toothbrushes, Apple Watches, newer iPhones, and other electronics can be charged simply by magnetic resonant coupling—the transmission of electricity through the air by creating a magnetic field between two circuits: a transmitter and a receiver.⁹

Ongoing trends suggest that intelligent engineering systems will continue to expand over time. As powerful new technologies like 5G connectivity gain wider adoption, for example, we'll be poised to enter a world of unprecedented opportunity for real-time testing and innovation.

Place Yourself at the Leading Edge of Smart Technologies

Smart technology and IoT have transformed modern civil and electric engineering, ushering in a new age of efficiency and innovation. Regardless of the industry you intend to enter or the engineering discipline you pursue, there’s little doubt you’ll engage with these innovations. Understanding how AI enables increasingly complex systems that incorporate and analyze real-time data is critical for engineering leaders of tomorrow.

To build your future, consider pursuing an online Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering or Electrical Engineering from Bradley University. With a 96% career outcomes rate within six months of graduation¹⁰—including graduates employed or pursuing advanced degrees— our online engineering programs will equip you with the skills and knowledge you'll need to accelerate your career. To learn more about career opportunities, the admissions process, and program coursework, visit our online engineering website.