Master’s in Haptics and Tangible Controls
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in haptics and tangible controls: actuators, patterns and usability with gloves and moisture. 12 modules covering tactile perception, physical control design, haptic actuators, haptic touch surfaces, haptic pattern design, electronics and control, tangible interfaces, haptics in automotive, VR and teleoperation, user evaluation and industrialisation, with ISO 9241-910, ISO 9241-920 and ISO 15005, and an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Haptics and Tangible Controls — studying from Australia
Product design and human-machine interface work is important across Australian industries, from consumer goods and medical devices to mining equipment and transport systems. Designers and engineers collaborate on usability, ergonomics and visual interfaces, with growing attention to accessibility standards and user research. Australia has active design communities in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, supported by universities and design agencies. Employers include manufacturers, software companies, consultancies and in-house product teams in large organisations.
Fees for Australia: A$15,800 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Does a SEIUM qualification count for professional design recognition in Australia?
Australian design practice is recognised through bodies such as the Design Institute of Australia, which runs professional membership, and Engineers Australia covers engineering-related design. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies. Employers and the relevant body decide whether it counts toward recognition.
Which Australian employers need HMI and product design skills?
Australia has product design studios, software companies, automotive and medical device firms, and consultancies needing interface and product designers. Employers usually look closely at your portfolio and user research work. A SEIUM qualification may complement this, but its weight is determined by each employer.
Can I study this part-time from Australia and what language level is needed?
Yes, the courses are 100% online, so you can study from home across Australia without a student visa. Teaching is in English, so you need solid English proficiency. Durations range from 300 to 1,900 hours, with an assigned technical tutor, instalment payments, and possible employer sponsorship.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand tactile and kinaesthetic perception.
Design physical controls with defined sensations.
Select and characterise haptic actuators.
Design discriminable and meaningful haptic patterns.
Develop electronics and firmware for haptic control.
Evaluate controls with psychophysical methods.
Industrialise haptic controls in compliance with regulations.
Who it's for
- Haptics engineers.
- Tactile interaction designers.
- Interior controls engineers.
- Prototyping engineers.
- Human–machine interaction researchers.
- Actuator electronics engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the automotive industry.
What you'll work with
- ISO 9241-910 (framework for tactile and haptic interactions)
- ISO 9241-920 (guidance on tactile and haptic interactions)
- ISO 15005 (dialogue management principles for in-vehicle systems)
- ISO 4040 (location of hand controls, indicators and tell-tales in vehicles)
- IEC 60068-2-6 (environmental testing: sinusoidal vibration)
- EN 301 549 (accessibility requirements for ICT products and services)
- ISO 2575 (symbols for controls, indicators and tell-tales)
- Arduino IDE
- MATLAB
- Unity
- Interhaptics Haptic Composer
- SolidWorks
12 modules
1.1The somatosensory system1.2Mechanoreceptors and frequencies1.3Perception of force and texture1.4Detection thresholds1.5Proprioception1.6Tactile and kinaesthetic haptics1.7Multisensory perception1.8Age-related differences1.9Haptic illusions1.10Case study: analysis of the feel of benchmark controls
2.1Buttons, switches and keys2.2Rotary controls and detents2.3Joysticks and levers2.4Force–travel curves2.5Tactile and acoustic click2.6Coding by shape and texture2.7Location and reach2.8Stimulus–response compatibility2.9Prevention of inadvertent activation2.10Lab: measurement of force–travel curves
3.1ERM motors3.2Linear resonant actuators (LRA)3.3Piezoelectric actuators3.4Voice coil electromagnetic actuators3.5Magnetorheological brakes3.6Electroadhesion3.7Mid-air ultrasonic haptics3.8Actuator selection3.9Power consumption and time response3.10Practical: characterisation of an LRA actuator
4.1Haptic touchscreens4.2Force feedback on screens4.3Surfaces with hidden-till-lit buttons4.4Smart surfaces in interiors4.5Capacitive sensing4.6Force sensors4.7Integration into materials4.8Hidden lighting4.9Robustness and cleaning4.10Lab: prototype of a haptic touch surface
5.1Parameters: frequency, amplitude and duration5.2Effect libraries5.3Tactons and haptic language5.4Audio–haptic synchronisation5.5Haptics for confirmation5.6Haptics for warnings5.7Emotional haptics5.8Haptic design tools5.9Discriminability evaluation5.10Workshop: haptic library for an interface
6.1Haptic drivers6.2Open-loop and closed-loop control6.3Microcontrollers and firmware6.4Haptic signal processing6.5Latency and synchronisation6.6Measurement with accelerometers6.7Calibration in production6.8Electromagnetic compatibility6.9Fault diagnosis6.10Practical: firmware for a haptic control
7.1Tangible user interfaces7.2Smart objects7.3Reconfigurable controls7.4Prototyping with Arduino7.5Digital fabrication of prototypes7.6Controls in household appliances7.7Controls in industrial machinery7.8Interfaces for accessibility7.9Tangible product design7.10Lab: tangible control with Arduino
8.1Steering wheel and lane warnings8.2Haptic pedal8.3Vibrating seats8.4Console controls8.5Haptic central displays8.6Distraction reduction8.7Durability requirements8.8Standards for vehicle controls8.9Trends in interiors8.10Case study: multifunction rotary control
9.1Haptic gloves9.2Hand exoskeletons9.3Force feedback devices9.4Teleoperation with force feedback9.5Robotic surgery9.6Simulation-based training9.7Stability and transparency9.8Communication delay9.9Industrial applications9.10Practical: teleoperation with a haptic device
10.1Psychophysical methods10.2Discrimination tests10.3Preference scales10.4Task time and errors10.5Simulator evaluation10.6Distraction measures10.7Sensory panels10.8Statistical analysis10.9Evaluation reports10.10Workshop: psychophysical study of detents
11.1Service life requirements11.2Environmental testing11.3Unwanted noise and vibration11.4Perceived quality11.5Electrical safety standards11.6Accessibility requirements11.7Component cost11.8Suppliers and supply chain11.9Patents in haptics11.10Practical: validation plan for a control
12.1Context of use12.2Perceptual requirements12.3Control concept12.4Actuator selection12.5Pattern design12.6Functional prototype12.7User evaluation12.8Industrialisation plan12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Arduino IDE, MATLAB, Unity, Interhaptics Haptic Composer and SolidWorks, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: measurement of force–travel curves, psychophysical studies with participants and durability tests of controls. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 9241-910, ISO 9241-920, ISO 15005, ISO 4040, IEC 60068-2-6, EN 301 549, ISO 2575.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Arduino IDE, MATLAB, Unity, Interhaptics Haptic Composer and SolidWorks, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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