About Cyber-Physical Systems

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are engineered systems where functionalities and salient properties emerge from the networked interaction of computational and physical components. CPS provide the foundations for the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Internet (II), technology platforms that bring advanced connectivity of devices, systems, and services in multiple domains. Future applications of CPS will bring about more transformative changes than the IT revolution has accomplished in the past three decades. One forecast estimates the impact to the global GDP as high as $15 trillion by 2030.

CPS is a high priority interdisciplinary research area at both the national and international levels. The scientific and technological significance as well as its potential impact to various sectors critical to U.S. security and competitiveness are described in the December 2010 report of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) titled Designing a Digital Future: Federally Funded Research and Development in Networking and Information Technology. Dynamic interdisciplinary education and training have been identified as main challenges and strategic opportunities in the CPS Vision Statement  published in 2012 by the federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) CPS Senior Steering Group, the group that coordinates CPS R&D activities across federal agencies.

Building and sustaining a workforce capable of developing, innovating, and operating CPS and creating new IoT and II applications is a strategic opportunity critical to accelerating progress and realizing the envisioned societal impacts.

Intrigued by a career rooted in innovation? Take the next step and request more information about our CPS program!