A Cyber–Physical Future

Cyber-physical systems (CPSs) couple the cyber aspects of computing and communications tightly with the dynamics and physics of physical systems operating in the world around us. This emerging multidisciplinary frontier will enable revolutionary changes in the way humans live. Just like the Internet has transformed how national economies are intertwined, how humans interact, and how commerce is conducted, CPSs will transform how humans interact with and control the physical environment to the greater benefit of society. Major economic sectors that will see dramatic advances will include transportation, energy, buildings, healthcare, manufacturing, physical infrastructure, agriculture, and defense among others. The CPS community will comprise computer scientists, engineers of all stripes as well as many biologists, chemists, and physicians. The arts will also leverage the innovations of CPSs and inspire even more novel inventions in the scientific and engineering realms that combine the world of computing with the physical world. In short, the cyber-physical world of the future will be both very different and very welcome.