Proposal for Engineering Education on the Design of Autonomous Vehicles: A Pilot Study Considering Campus Locations

Recently, the acceptance of autonomous vehicles (AVs) has been actively discussed. However, the impact of an automated driving society varies significantly depending on the stakeholders’ places of residence and work. This paper reports on an educational pilot study proposed at Kogakuin University as part of a Faculty of Engineering course focusing on AVs and public transportation. The aim is to explore reframing AVs development to include urban and suburban elements, and to consider approaches for incorporating DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in engineering education. This pilot study involved a survey of university students that revealed their attitudes toward AVs and the pain points they encountered during their commutes. Our findings provide foundational insights into the precise needs of an automated driving society. These results indicate that understanding the diverse needs of urban and suburban populations is crucial for the development of effective AV systems and educational programs.