Automotive mechatronics: An academic discipline

The pervasiveness and explosion of new technologies in the areas of traditional Automotive Engineering has raised the question on determining the appropriate education and training needs of Automotive Engineers. The main issues raised in most people's minds is whether Automotive Mechatronics should become a separate discipline. For this to be the case, there are several factors which should be considered, for example, clear definition of Automotive Mechatronics have to be agreed and several subject topics in Mechanical, Electronics, Information Technology and Management Science need to be combined into a unified body of knowledge. This paper outlines the current situation of education and training in Automotive Mechatronics. The continued growth of Automotive Mechatronics research is also linked with appropriate education and training in this subject area. This is also discussed in the paper.