National Engineering Day: How The UK’s Engineers Are Making Sci-Fi Tech A Reality

From teleportation to exosuits, invisibility cloaks to robotic limbs, technologies once confined to the world of science fiction are edging closer to reality.

As the UK celebrates National Engineering Day today on the 5th of November, the Royal Academy of Engineering is spotlighting the people quietly building the future through its new initiative, the AI-Z of Engineering.

While films and comics have long captured the public imagination, the Academy’s research shows us how many people don’t realise how close we already are to these futuristic breakthroughs.

In fact, three in four Brits believe tricorders – that is, the handheld diagnostic tools from Star Trek – will soon be real. And, with UK scientists already developing non-invasive diagnostic devices inspired by that very concept, they might not be wrong.

From Comic Books to Cutting-Edge Labs

The world of exosuits, robotic clothing and wearable tech is a prime example of science fiction becoming science fact. Once the stuff of superhero films, exoskeletons are now being built and tested in British labs. Companies like MyoSuit, Emteq Labs and Bristol’s Soft Robotics Group, led by Professor Jonathan Rossiter, are developing wearable robotic clothing designed to boost mobility, assist rehabilitation and even augment strength.

These aren’t distant dreams – they’re real innovations designed to help people live better, healthier lives. What once sounded like something from Iron Man is now part of clinical research, with applications spanning healthcare, physical therap and even industrial support.

Teleportation, Invisibility and Beyond

Some of the most fascinating developments are happening in fields that sound impossible but are actually already taking shape.

At the University of Bristol, Professor Alex Clark, a quantum technologies expert, and his team have managed to teleport particles of light across long distances using quantum entanglement. It’s not the “beam me up” moment from Star Trek just yet, but the science underpinning it could transform secure communications and quantum computing. It may not seem like much just yet, but trust us, it’s a major breakthrough.

At Queen Mary University of London, Professor Yang Hao is exploring metamaterials – engineered substances capable of bending light and electromagnetic waves around objects. His research could one day make invisibility cloaks a reality, but the same principles are already being applied in energy-efficient communications and advanced sensors.

As Professor Hao explains, “It’s not magic – it’s where advanced physics meets creative engineering. Every step brings us closer to innovations once thought impossible.”

So yes, sure, it may not exactly be magic. But to be honest, it kind of feels like it is!

Engineering As the Framework of the Future

Engineering today extends far beyond bridges, buildings and machines. It’s increasingly about creating the frameworks for the world to come – blending physical science with artificial intelligence, data and even biology.

Futurologist Tracey Follows, who worked with the Royal Academy on the AI–Z of Engineering, believes we’re entering a new era. “Until now, engineers have built the systems that shape the world we live in,” she says. “Now, they’re creating the frameworks for the world to come – many aided by AI. We could see buildings that behave like living organisms or dream technology that turns sleep into shared experiences.”

Her predictions, drawn from the AI-Z guide and wider societal trends, highlight the breadth of modern engineering – a field that is as much about imagination as it is precision. And perhaps this is exactly where the sweet spot is.

The AI-Z of Engineering: Reimagining What Engineers Do

The AI-Z of Engineering, launched for this year’s National Engineering Day, is an interactive digital guide mapping over 200 engineering roles across sectors – from fashion and film to sustainability and space exploration. It was co-created with more than 100 UK engineers, combining their insights with AI-generated predictions about how these roles might evolve.

The goal is to change public perceptions. According to the Academy’s research, half of Brits admit that they don’t actually know exactly what engineers actually do, and nearly as many (46%) say engineering feels invisible in everyday life. Yet, the reality is that engineers are behind almost everything we do and use in daily life – from the clothes we wear to the clean energy powering our homes.

As Hayaatun Sillem, CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering, explains: “Nobody can be in any doubt that technology is transforming our world, and that means engineering is constantly evolving too. National Engineering Day is about celebrating that creativity and inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers who will turn science fiction into fact.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

A central theme of National Engineering Day is inspiration – encouraging more young people to see engineering not as a narrow technical field, but rather as a creative and world-shaping profession. The Academy hopes initiatives like the AI-Z will attract a more diverse new wave of engineers, equipped to tackle global challenges and imagine entirely new possibilities.

From cleaner travel and sustainable materials to smart water systems and AI-powered healthcare, the future of engineering is full of potential. These technologies won’t just change how we live  – they’ll define it, we can be sure of that.

From Fantasy to Foundation

The line between imagination and invention has never been thinner. Whether it’s teleporting particles, bending light or wearing robotic suits, the innovations shaping our future are already being built – often in British labs and universities.

This National Engineering Day is more than a celebration of a profession – it’s a reminder that every futuristic dream begins with an engineer.

And, as the world races towards new frontiers of technology, the UK’s engineers are ensuring that science fiction doesn’t stay fiction for long.

For National Engineering Day, the Royal Academy of Engineering has launched the AI-Z of Engineering to bring the definition of an engineer firmly into the present day and beyond. Created with input from more than 100 engineers, the digital guide showcases the extraordinary breadth of modern engineering to inspire the next generation of engineers – those who will turn science fiction into fact and solve the future challenges we’ve yet to face.