This article proposes a novel shift automation mechanism for an automated manual transmission (AMT). The development of an automated manual transmission is currently being paid considerable attention by vehicle manufacturers, with the prospects of combining the comfort of an automatic transmission and the high efficiency of a manual transmission. In order to automate the shift mechanism of a manual transmission, the proposed shift automation mechanism consists of two electric motors, cross shaped pinion gears, rack type shift rails, and a ball splined hollow shaft. First we describe the shift mechanism and operating principles of a manual transmission to investigate important design criteria for the shift automation device. And a new shift automation mechanism is described with its structure, elements, and operating principles in detail. Using a conventional manual transmission, we develop a full three-dimensional CAD model of an AMT which includes main components of the manual transmission and the designed shift automation mechanism. Finally we investigate the operating performances and feasibility of the designed AMT by a dynamic analysis.