2.3 METHODOLOGY

The study being exploratory in nature, flexible wide ranging and versatile approach was adopted. This covered reference to all possible secondary sources and primary sources. This is summarized as follows:

i) Books, journals & seminar proceedings in India & abroad on the subjects related to automotive electronics were referred.

ii) A list of equipments, accessories manufacturers worldwide was prepared from the trade directories as well from mentions in journals.

iii) Correspondence was made with around 75 concerns in the world & about 30 organisations were contacted in India to get their views on the technology applications.

iv) Rapport was established with agencies like ARAI, AIAM, ACMA to understand and shortlist key respondents.

v) About 32 experts from all over the country were interviewed in depth.

vi) About 10 service stations & few users of vehicles having some automotive electronics were contacted.

vii) A second round of personal interviews was made with select experts to discuss preliminary research findings. All the information obtained was complied, and analysed.

2.4 LIMITATIONS

The study could had the following limitations:

i) Inadequate response from overseas concerns.

ii) Indian branched of overseas concerns were ill-equipped to furnish information on Automotive Electronic components of their parent companies.

iii) Information about exact experimental results of applications could not be obtained.

iv) Due to the lack of market behaviour, experienced professionals could not respond with relation to effective usage and reaction to automotive electronics.

v) Recent import duty reduction from 85% to 65% (max.) proposed in the budget of 1994-95 could not be incorporated in the detailed working.

3. RELATIONSHIP OF THE SUBJECT

‘Automotive electronics’ is the technology dealing in applications of electronics in automobile industry. The subject derives its strength from disciplines of micro-electronics, artificial intelligence, physics, solid state electronics, instrumentation etc.

Electronics has surprisingly found application fairly late in one of the earliest products of engineering revolution, viz. surface transportation modes. It has by now proven its advantages in area of communication, space, data-processing, machine tools etc., due to its high degree of reliability and performance standards.

Electronics has now become acceptance for control and monitoring effectively engine parameters, transmission, steering, braking system and speed of the vehicle.

The functional role has been complemented by its applications for entertainment, communication and air conditioning.   Back