Master’s in Human-Vehicle Interaction Engineering at Levels 2–4
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in human-vehicle interaction engineering for Levels 2–4, structured in 12 modules covering driver roles, supervision and vigilance, control transitions, mode awareness, trust and acceptance, HMI for Levels 3 and 4, experimental methods and regulation (SAE J3016, UN ECE R157, UN ECE R171), with an assigned technical tutor.
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
Analyse driver roles at Levels 2 to 4.
Design driver supervision and engagement strategies.
Design safe control transitions.
Improve mode awareness through transparency.
Assess trust in and acceptance of automation.
Apply experimental methods with users.
Develop a human-vehicle interaction project.
Who it's for
- Human-vehicle interaction specialists working on automated driving.
- Human factors researchers studying takeover and trust.
- Automation HMI designers.
- ADAS validation engineers assessing driver engagement.
- Usability experts moving into automotive.
- Safety analysts focused on driver-automation interaction.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- SAE J3016 (levels of driving automation)
- UN ECE R157 (automated lane keeping systems (ALKS))
- UN ECE R171 (driver control assistance systems (DCAS))
- ISO 21448 (SOTIF – safety of the intended functionality)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1426 (ADS) (type approval of automated driving systems)
- ISO 15005 (dialogue management principles for in-vehicle systems)
- ISO/TR 21959 (human performance and state in automated driving)
- ISO 15007 (measurement of driver visual behaviour)
- SILAB
- Tobii Pro Lab
- Unity
- R
- CARLA
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Definition of Levels 2, 3 and 4 according to SAE J30161.2Driver responsibilities by level1.3L2 and L2+ functions on the market1.4ALKS as the first type-approved Level 31.5Driverless Level 4 systems1.6User confusion between levels1.7Advertising and function names1.8Accidents with partial automation1.9Real-world usage data of systems1.10Case study: analysis of an L2 accident
2.1The driver as supervisor at Level 22.2The fallback-ready user at Level 32.3The passenger at Level 42.4Secondary tasks permitted by level2.5Expectations versus capabilities2.6Attribution of responsibility2.7User understanding of the ODD2.8Driver training2.9Manuals and communication2.10Lab: survey on understanding of levels
3.1Vigilance decrement during supervision3.2The out-of-the-loop effect3.3Hands and eyes monitoring3.4Driver engagement strategies3.5Escalating inattention warnings3.6Hands-free control at L23.7Requirements of Regulation R1713.8Evaluation of engagement strategies3.9Abuse and defeat of systems3.10Practical: escalation of inattention warnings
4.1Takeover requests4.2Takeover time4.3Takeover quality4.4Factors affecting the transition4.5Planned and urgent transitions4.6Driver-initiated transitions4.7Degradation modes4.8Minimal risk manoeuvres4.9R157 requirements for transitions4.10Workshop: takeover study in a simulator
5.1Mode errors and confusion5.2System status indication5.3Visualising what the vehicle perceives5.4Transparency of intentions5.5Communicating ODD limits5.6Automation iconography5.7Consistency between manufacturers5.8ISO standards for indicators5.9Evaluating understanding5.10Lab: mode indicator prototype
6.1Formation of trust6.2Calibrated and miscalibrated trust6.3Effect of failures on trust6.4System explanations6.5Social acceptance of automation6.6Technology acceptance models6.7Cultural differences between markets6.8Measuring trust6.9Calibration strategies6.10Practical: trust questionnaire
7.1Interface design for Level 37.2Use of displays during automation7.3Passenger interfaces at Level 47.4Emergency interfaces7.5Communication with teleoperation7.6Accessibility in driverless vehicles7.7Voice interfaces7.8Trip status interfaces7.9Managing expectations7.10Workshop: HMI for a Level 4 vehicle
8.1High-fidelity driving simulators8.2The Wizard of Oz technique8.3On-road studies with automation8.4Naturalistic L2 studies8.5Transition and performance metrics8.6Eye tracking in automation8.7Within-subject and between-subject experimental design8.8Statistical analysis of results8.9Ecological validity of studies8.10Lab: Wizard of Oz study
9.1Regulation R157 on ALKS9.2Regulation R171 on DCAS9.3European regulation on automated systems9.4HMI requirements in type approval9.5Euro NCAP assisted driving protocols9.6Civil and criminal liability9.7DSSAD recorder requirements9.8Training requirements9.9Regulatory trends in automation9.10Case study: HMI requirements of R171
10.1Interaction with human drivers10.2Communication with pedestrians10.3Predictable vehicle behaviour10.4External intent interfaces10.5Integration into mixed traffic10.6Implicit social norms10.7Defensive vehicle behaviour10.8Evaluation in urban environments10.9Acceptance by third parties10.10Practical: pedestrian interaction study
11.1User evaluation methods11.2Evaluation of L2 functions on the market11.3Comparison of engagement strategies11.4Evaluation of real transitions11.5Consumer assessment programmes11.6IIHS reports on safeguards11.7Misuse studies11.8Design recommendations11.9Lessons learned for design11.10Workshop: comparative evaluation of two systems
12.1Definition of the level and function12.2Analysis of roles and tasks12.3Design of the engagement strategy12.4Design of control transitions12.5HMI design12.6Experimental study with users12.7Analysis of results12.8Conclusions and recommendations12.9Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training 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, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SILAB, Tobii Pro Lab, Unity, R and CARLA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: takeover studies in a simulator, on-road Wizard of Oz studies and evaluation of engagement strategies. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: SAE J3016, UN ECE R157, UN ECE R171, ISO 21448, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1426 (ADS), ISO 15005, ISO/TR 21959, ISO 15007.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An 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 SILAB, Tobii Pro Lab, Unity, R and CARLA, 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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