Intelligent Connected Vehicle Technology Major

1. Definition and System Structure

Intelligent Connected Vehicle (ICV) Technology is a strategic emerging major introduced by the Ministry of Education in 2021. Categorised under automotive manufacturing within the broader equipment manufacturing discipline, it carries the programme code 460704. Tailored to meet the automotive sector's transition towards "smart and connected mobility", this major develops high-calibre technical talents proficient in key areas such as intelligent perception, decision-making planning, drive-by-wire control, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) cooperative systems, and smart cockpits.

2. Major Positioning and Training Objectives

Aligned with the national ICV industry development strategy, this major focuses on whole-vehicle manufacturing for intelligent vehicles, on-board smart hardware production, and Internet of Vehicles (IoV) system integration and operations/maintenance.

Graduates must acquire the following core competencies:

Assembly and Commissioning: Carry out complete vehicle assembly and commissioning for key components such as intelligent sensors, computing platforms, drive-by-wire chassis, and smart cockpits.
Calibration and Testing: Perform vehicle parameter tuning, quality inspection, and comprehensive validation, with the capability to configure test scenarios and analyse test data.
Fault Diagnosis: Execute diagnostics, troubleshooting, and repairs on complete ICVs and their onboard systems.
Production Management: Supervise workshop teams, machinery, quality control, and workplace safety compliance on the production floor.
Technical Support & Service: Deliver pre-sales and after-sales technical support to resolve product and customer service issues.

3. Core Curriculum System

The curriculum is structured around the "perception-decision-execution-connectivity" technology chain, reinforcing essential skills in "intelligence + connectivity".

Curriculum Module	Representative Courses	Learning Objectives
Professional Foundation Modules	Automotive Electrical and Electronic Technology, Microcontroller Applications, C Language Programming, Fundamentals of In-Vehicle Network Communications, Introduction to Intelligent Connected Vehicles	Build a solid foundation in electronics, programming, and vehicle networking
Core Technical Modules	Intelligent Sensor Assembly & Testing, Computing Platform Deployment & Testing, Drive-by-Wire Chassis System Assembly & Testing, Smart Cockpit System Assembly & Testing, V2X Cooperative System Assembly & Testing	Master core technical competencies in environmental perception, decision-making execution, and connected communications
Integrated Practical Modules	Comprehensive ICV Whole-Vehicle Testing, Smart Vehicle Design & Fabrication, Fundamentals of Automotive Data Analytics, Automotive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Technology	Develop whole-vehicle system integration and comprehensive testing capabilities

Selected tertiary institutions also offer elective modules such as ROS Principles and Technical Applications and Perception, Decision-Making, and Control Algorithm Development to align with cutting-edge industry advancements.

4. Pedagogical Model and Practical Training Facilities

The major predominantly adopts the "Job-Curriculum-Competition-Certification" integrated education model, aligning syllabus content with job specifications, vocational skills competitions, and professional certification standards. Under dual mentorship from academic and industry trainers, students hold a dual identity as learners and prospective corporate employees through structured work-study alternation.

Training Facilities: Purpose-built on-campus laboratories are set up for smart sensors, drive-by-wire chassis, V2X cooperative systems, and full-vehicle ICV testing, equipped with autonomous test mules, teleoperation driving simulators, and comprehensive V2X application rigs. Off-campus internship centres are co-established with industry leaders such as Baidu Apollo, NIO, Pony.ai, BYD, and Chery to provide hands-on workplace training.

5. Career Pathways and Market Demand

Graduates primarily pursue career opportunities in the following sectors:

Vehicle & Component Manufacturing: Roles in assembly, commissioning, calibration, and quality assurance for ICVs and related sub-systems.
R&D Support & Testing: Positions such as assistant software development engineers, hardware engineers, autonomous vehicle validation engineers, and related technical roles.
Operations, Maintenance & Technical Support: Specialising in IoV system integration and maintenance, pre-sales and after-sales technical support, and fleet operations management.

Industry Demand: The nationwide talent shortfall for skilled technical personnel in the ICV sector exceeds one million, with a supply-to-demand ratio above 1:5. In several institutions, graduate employment rates surpass 98%, with starting salaries 30% to 50% higher than conventional automotive workshop and service roles.

6. Industry Trends and Future Outlook

Progression to Vocational Degree Level: Multiple institutions have secured approval to offer the "Intelligent Connected Vehicle Engineering Technology" vocational bachelor's degree, cultivating higher-level technical and engineering management professionals.
Deep Industry-Academia Integration: Strategic alliances among government, industry bodies, academia, and enterprises embed live commercial projects and industrial technical standards directly into the classroom.
Competition-Driven Capability Building: Leveraging platforms such as the World Vocational College Skills Competition to drive teaching and learning through competitive challenges, boosting students' practical skillsets and market employability.
Comprehensive Professional Certification: Students can obtain accredited vocational certifications including ICV Testing & Assembly, Automotive Assembly & Commissioning, and Low-Voltage Electrical Safety, entering the job market with dual academic and vocational credentials.