Mechatronics Education via Project Based Learning and Involvement in Small Electric Vehicle Competition - pico-EV Eco Challenge -

Many skills such as machine design, electronic circuit design, microcomputer programming are taught in mechatronics lectures at universities. Parts are given and students assemble the parts according to set examples. However, students cannot develop creativity simply by following fixed examples. In order to foster creativity, it is necessary to make mechatronic systems based on students' own ideas. Students also need to study production costs, schedule management, team work etc. These skills are important when becoming engineers in companies after graduation. In order that students can use their own ideas, fabricate mechatronic systems, understand production costs, deal with deadlines and develop a team ethos, we have started a compact electric vehicle competition, named “pico-EV Eco Challenge”, and implemented it. In the competition, a one person small electric vehicle using only small rechargeable batteries (7.2V, 1000mAh in total) is fabricated and runs a 60m circuit. In this paper, the history, regulation and management of the competition, examples of participating vehicles, results and benefits of participation, etc. are discussed.