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Postgraduate DiplomaDesign, HMI & Product Applications open

Diploma in Track Controls, Ergonomics and Usability

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in racing controls, ergonomics and on-track usability, structured in 8 modules covering steering wheels, pedals, displays, driver seats, track usability evaluation and FIA safety regulations with Appendix J, FIA Standard 8862-2009 and MoTeC i2 Pro, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Analyse the driver's tasks and demands during competition.

02

Design steering wheels and controls with clear, reliable coding.

03

Adjust the pedal box, seat and posture to each driver.

04

Organise display information according to priority during a race.

05

Evaluate control usability with telemetry and the simulator.

06

Apply FIA safety requirements to the cockpit.

07

Propose a validated controls system for a specific category.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Motorsport ergonomics engineers working on driver-cockpit interaction.
  • Race electronics engineers involved in steering wheels and displays.
  • Designers of steering wheels and racing controls.
  • Track engineers who work closely with drivers on set-up and feedback.
  • Simulation engineers developing driver-in-the-loop evaluations.
  • Cockpit safety technicians dealing with FIA homologation and scrutineering.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter motorsport.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code (technical regulations for competition vehicles)
  • FIA Standard 8862-2009 (advanced racing seats)
  • FIA Standard 8858-2010 (frontal head restraint (HANS) devices)
  • FIA Standard 8856-2018 (protective clothing for drivers)
  • FIA Standard 8860-2018 (advanced helmets)
  • ISO 7250-1 (basic human body measurements for technological design)
  • ISO 9241-11 (usability definitions and concepts)
  • MoTeC i2 Pro
  • Bosch WinDarab
  • SolidWorks
  • Tobii Pro Lab
  • rFactor Pro
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Physical demands of racing
  2. 1.2Lateral accelerations and their effects on the body
  3. 1.3Cognitive load during a race
  4. 1.4Driving position in single-seaters and GT cars
  5. 1.5Peripheral vision and reaction times
  6. 1.6Radio communications
  7. 1.7Equipment: helmet, HANS and gloves
  8. 1.8Anthropometric variability of drivers
  9. 1.9Interviews and task analysis
  10. 1.10Workshop: task analysis of a qualifying lap
  1. 2.1Architecture of the racing steering wheel
  2. 2.2Buttons, rotary switches and paddles
  3. 2.3Colour and shape coding of controls
  4. 2.4Integrated display and shift lights
  5. 2.5Grip and rim diameter
  6. 2.6Steering wheel quick release
  7. 2.7Steering wheel electronics and CAN bus
  8. 2.8Customisation for each driver
  9. 2.9Reliability under vibration
  10. 2.10Practical: button layout of a GT steering wheel
  1. 3.1Pedal box geometry and ratio
  2. 3.2Brake force and sensitivity
  3. 3.3Left-foot braking
  4. 3.4Hand clutch and race starts
  5. 3.5Brake balance control
  6. 3.6Differential and engine maps
  7. 3.7Fire extinguisher and master switch
  8. 3.8Accessible emergency controls
  9. 3.9Pedal box and seat adjustment
  10. 3.10Lab: measuring pedal force with a load cell
  1. 4.1Critical information during a race
  2. 4.2Display pages and navigation
  3. 4.3Alarms and engineer messages
  4. 4.4Shift lights and warnings
  5. 4.5Legibility under vibration
  6. 4.6Digital flag signalling
  7. 4.7Head-up display in motorsport
  8. 4.8Reducing distractions
  9. 4.9Display configuration per session
  10. 4.10Case study: redesigning the pages of a display
  1. 5.1Homologated seats according to FIA Standard 8862-2009
  2. 5.2Foam moulding of the seat
  3. 5.3Hip, knee and elbow angles
  4. 5.4Lateral support against loads
  5. 5.5Eye height and visibility
  6. 5.6Driver ventilation
  7. 5.7Driver extraction according to the FIA
  8. 5.8Fatigue in endurance races
  9. 5.9Driver changes in endurance racing
  10. 5.10Workshop: foam moulding of a seat
  1. 6.1Usability metrics in motorsport
  2. 6.2Actuation errors and their analysis
  3. 6.3Eye tracking in the simulator
  4. 6.4Control usage recorded in telemetry
  5. 6.5Driver questionnaires
  6. 6.6Task times during the lap
  7. 6.7Evaluation in rain and at night
  8. 6.8Comparisons between alternative layouts
  9. 6.9Rapid iteration with 3D printing
  10. 6.10Practical: analysis of button presses in telemetry
  1. 7.1Appendix J to the International Sporting Code
  2. 7.2Cockpit requirements in technical regulations
  3. 7.3FIA-homologated driver equipment
  4. 7.4Accessibility of emergency controls
  5. 7.5Driver extraction and rescue
  6. 7.6Head protection and the halo
  7. 7.7Driver visibility requirements
  8. 7.8Technical scrutineering of the cockpit
  9. 7.9Management of regulatory changes
  10. 7.10Case study: checking a cockpit for scrutineering
  1. 8.1Definition of category and driver
  2. 8.2Driver task analysis
  3. 8.3Steering wheel and controls layout
  4. 8.43D-printed prototype
  5. 8.5Evaluation in the simulator
  6. 8.6Ergonomic adjustment of the driving position
  7. 8.7Regulatory verification of the design
  8. 8.8Final controls proposal
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. You work with MoTeC i2 Pro, Bosch WinDarab, SolidWorks, Tobii Pro Lab and rFactor Pro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: evaluation of controls in the simulator with drivers, analysis of control usage in race telemetry, and moulding and fitting of racing seats. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.

Standards covered: Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code, FIA Standard 8862-2009, FIA Standard 8858-2010, FIA Standard 8856-2018, FIA Standard 8860-2018, ISO 7250-1, ISO 9241-11.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code and FIA Standards 8862-2009 and 8858-2010 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MoTeC i2 Pro, Bosch WinDarab, SolidWorks, Tobii Pro Lab and rFactor Pro, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a validated controls system for a specific racing category, from task analysis and 3D-printed prototype to simulator evaluation and regulatory check, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Category and driver definition
Define the racing category and driver profile and analyse the driver's tasks.
Steering wheel and controls layout
Design the layout of the steering wheel and the auxiliary controls.
3D-printed prototype and simulator
Build a 3D-printed prototype and evaluate it in the simulator.
Ergonomics and regulatory check
Adjust the driving position ergonomically and verify the design against the regulations.
Final project
Present the final controls proposal with report and presentation, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Motorsport Ergonomics EngineerRace Electronics EngineerSteering Wheel and Controls DesignerTrack EngineerSimulation EngineerCockpit Safety Technician
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • 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.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with MoTeC i2 Pro, Bosch WinDarab, SolidWorks, Tobii Pro Lab and rFactor Pro, 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 final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme 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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