Master’s in Traction, Wheelie & Launch Control Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in traction control, wheelie and launch control engineering for motorcycles. 12 modules covering acceleration dynamics, sensors and state estimation, engine torque control, traction control and anti-wheelie algorithms, launch and engine-braking control, simulation and HIL, track calibration and functional safety, 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
Model rear-wheel traction under acceleration and when leaned over.
Estimate slip and vehicle state with on-board sensors.
Design traction control and anti-wheelie algorithms.
Implement start strategies and launch control.
Calibrate the functions in simulation, on the bench and on track.
Ensure functional safety and regulatory compliance.
Develop a complete traction control system for a motorcycle.
Who it's for
- Traction control engineers.
- Racing electronics engineers.
- Vehicle dynamics calibration engineers.
- Control software engineers.
- Racing data engineers.
- Chassis function validation engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join motorcycle manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- ISO 26262-12 (functional safety, adaptation for motorcycles)
- ISO 11898-1 (CAN data link layer and physical signalling)
- ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics and road-holding ability vocabulary)
- ISO 21448 (safety of the intended functionality (SOTIF))
- ISO 14229-1 (unified diagnostic services (UDS))
- FIM Grand Prix Regulations (MotoGP technical regulations)
- FIM Superbike and Supersport World Championship Regulations (production-derived racing regulations)
- Regulation (EU) 168/2013 (approval of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles)
- MATLAB/Simulink
- dSPACE
- BikeSim
- MoTeC i2 Pro
- 2D Data Recording
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Traction force and grip1.2Load transfer under acceleration1.3Wheelie limit1.4Slip limit1.5Effect of lean angle1.6Influence of anti-squat1.7Rear tyre on corner exit1.8Usable power versus peak power1.9Influence of the rider1.10Case study: acceleration of a superbike
2.1Wheel speed sensors2.2Inertial measurement unit2.3Lean angle estimation2.4Vehicle speed estimation2.5Slip calculation2.6Effective rolling radius estimation2.7Sensor fusion2.8Complementary and Kalman filters2.9Robustness to noise2.10Lab: slip estimator with an IMU
3.1Torque actuators3.2Ride-by-wire electronic throttle3.3Ignition cut3.4Injection cut3.5Spark retard3.6Response and latency of each actuator3.7Combining actuators3.8Torque in electric motors3.9Engine protection3.10Practical exercise: comparison of torque actuators
4.1Slip-threshold control4.2PID slip control4.3Slip target as a function of lean angle4.4Angular acceleration control4.5Model predictive control4.6Intervention levels4.7Adaptation to the tyre4.8Control in the wet4.9Deactivation and modes4.10Workshop: traction control in Simulink
5.1Wheel-lift detection5.2Pitch angle estimation5.3Control by target pitch5.4Interaction with traction control5.5Controlled wheelies in racing5.6Effect of aerodynamics5.7Calibration by gear5.8Road safety5.9Behaviour with a passenger5.10Lab: simulation of a controlled wheelie
6.1Start procedure6.2Launch rev limiter6.3Clutch management6.4Torque control in the first metres6.5Ride-height lowering devices6.6Race starts6.7Regulations on devices6.8Start telemetry6.9Rider training6.10Practical exercise: launch strategy
7.1Engine braking and holding torque7.2Slipper clutch7.3Electronic engine-braking control7.4Sliding on corner entry7.5Interaction with ABS7.6Calibration by circuit7.7Electric motorcycles and regeneration7.8Stability under braking7.9Rider preferences7.10Case study: corner entry at a hairpin
8.1Motorcycle models with tyres8.2Engine and transmission models8.3Co-simulation with the controller8.4Hardware-in-the-loop platforms8.5Test scenarios8.6Fault injection8.7Test coverage8.8Correlation with the track8.9Test and analysis automation8.10Lab: traction control HIL bench
9.1Calibration plan9.2Required test instrumentation9.3Reading control channels9.4Tuning by gear and corner9.5Rider assessment9.6Repeatability of measurements9.7Calibration by circuit9.8Map management9.9Technical documentation of the process9.10Practical exercise: traction control telemetry analysis
10.1ISO 26262-12 for chassis functions10.2Hazard analysis10.3Safety of the intended functionality to ISO 2144810.4Safety requirements10.5Degraded operating modes10.6Control monitoring10.7Safety validation10.8Cybersecurity of the connected system10.9Technical documentation of the process10.10Workshop: hazard analysis of an anti-wheelie function
11.1Unified electronics in MotoGP11.2Superbike electronics regulations11.3Corner-by-corner strategies11.4Fuel management11.5The trackside electronics engineer11.6Telemetry and analysis11.7Communication with the rider11.8Evolution of the technical regulations11.9Transfer to production11.10Case study: electronics strategy for a circuit
12.1Definition of the vehicle12.2Vehicle dynamic model12.3State estimator12.4Traction algorithm12.5Anti-wheelie and launch12.6Validation in simulation12.7Calibration plan12.8Safety analysis12.9Thesis 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, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, dSPACE, BikeSim, MoTeC i2 Pro and 2D Data Recording, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: track calibration of traction control at different levels, simulation of a start with launch control, and telemetry analysis of anti-wheelie under acceleration. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 26262-12, ISO 11898-1, ISO 8855, ISO 21448, ISO 14229-1, FIM Grand Prix Regulations, FIM Superbike and Supersport World Championship Regulations, Regulation (EU) 168/2013.
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 MATLAB/Simulink, dSPACE, BikeSim, MoTeC i2 Pro and 2D Data Recording, 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 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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