What is a Cyber-Physical System?

Abstract

Our starting point is to reflect on our world today and to consider examples and characteristics of what has come to be known as Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs). We then look at the innovation process and the associated workforce challenge. Next, we explain how the field of CPS brings together several previously distinct fields such as Embedded Systems, Control Theory, and Mechatronics. We conclude with an overview of what you can expect to learn from this book. 1.1 Our Planet. Our Knowledge. Our Destiny We live in a world that is changing at a much faster pace than ever before. More than at any other time in our history, there is a pressing need for new ways of looking at science, technology, and social phenomena-ways that can help us understand our planet, ourselves, and how we can take control of our collective destiny. Our population and our consumption of the Earth's resources are soaring. Estimates put the world's population near eight billion1 and annual per capita energy consumption at about 20 MWh/year, that is about 2 tonnes of oil equivalent per year.2 Fortunately, with the development and availability of powerful communication infrastructure, our awareness of the state of the world and our ability to influence it are also improving. For example, it is remarkable that the number of smartphone users on the planet has already topped three billion,3 which is close to half of the world population. This means that our collective ability to share information and cooperate has already reached a remarkable level.