Course in Ethics of Autonomous Robots for Defence
300-hour online course in ethics of autonomous robots for defence. 6 modules covering ISO 13482 (personal care robots: safety requirements), ISO 10218 (industrial robots: safety) and ROS 2. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Ethics of Autonomous Robots for Defence — studying from Malta
Malta's defence sector is comparatively small, reflecting the country's neutrality and modest armed forces. Activity centres on the Armed Forces of Malta, maritime surveillance, border security and the associated technical support. Engineering roles are mostly found in equipment maintenance, communications, infrastructure and government procurement rather than large-scale defence manufacturing. Professionals may find opportunities through public service and contractors supplying the armed forces and related agencies, where reliability and compliance with national procurement rules are important.
Fees for Malta: €546 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which bodies regulate defence and military engineering work in Malta?
Malta's Armed Forces and the Ministry responsible for defence oversee military engineering and procurement. General engineering practice is regulated by the Chamber of Engineers (KSU) under the Engineering Profession Act. Export and dual-use controls follow EU and national rules. A SEIUM qualification is private and not accredited, so any recognition depends on employers or the relevant authority.
What career paths exist in Malta for land systems and defence engineering?
Opportunities in Malta are limited and mostly within government, the Armed Forces and their suppliers, with more substantial defence industry work typically found abroad. Many roles require security clearance and specific experience. A private qualification can support your profile, but you should expect employers to focus on experience and clearance eligibility.
How do I study this from Malta, and what should I consider about workload and funding?
The programme is delivered fully online in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. You do not need a visa to study from home in Malta. Durations range from 300 to 1,900 hours, so plan time alongside any work commitments. Ask about instalment payments and whether employer sponsorship is available.
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 the applications of autonomous robotics in defence and security.
Apply robotics ethics frameworks, such as BS 8611, to design.
Assess the safety and reliability of autonomous robots.
Analyse the legal framework and the attribution of liability.
Evaluate the human and social impact of deploying robots.
Simulate robot behaviour and analyse its failure modes.
Design a defence robot with a responsible orientation, supporting rescue or demining.
Who it's for
- Robotics engineer who wants to specialise in Ethics in Autonomous Robots for Defence.
- Safety engineer for robotic systems who wants to specialise in Ethics in Autonomous Robots for Defence.
- Researcher in robotics ethics who wants to specialise in Ethics in Autonomous Robots for Defence.
- Verification engineer for autonomous systems who wants to specialise in Ethics in Autonomous Robots for Defence.
- Specialist in demining and rescue robots who wants to specialise in Ethics in Autonomous Robots for Defence.
- Technology policy analyst who wants to specialise in Ethics in Autonomous Robots for Defence.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter robotics.
What you'll work with
- ISO 13482 (personal care robots: safety requirements)
- ISO 10218 (industrial robots: safety)
- IEC 61508 (functional safety)
- IEEE 7001-2021 (transparency of autonomous systems)
- BS 8611 (ethical design of robots and robotic systems)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 (machinery)
- Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions (1977), Article 36
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Types of robots: ground, aerial and marine1.2Explosive ordnance disposal and reconnaissance robots1.3Logistics and evacuation robots1.4Exoskeletons and assistive robotics1.5Control architectures and autonomy1.6Perception and manipulation1.7Robotics in CBRN environments: inspection and sampling1.8Civil emergency robotics1.9Technological maturity and challenges1.10Workshop: analysis of an inspection robot
2.1Asimov's Laws and their limits2.2Machine ethics and design ethics2.3Robots and human dignity2.4Anthropomorphism and emotional attachment2.5Delegation of dangerous tasks2.6Armed robots versus support robots2.7Values in design (VSD)2.8IEEE 7000 standard for ethical design2.9EPSRC Principles of Robotics2.10Practice: applying VSD to an evacuation robot
3.1Robot safety according to ISO 10218 and ISO 134823.2Physical human-robot interaction3.3Behaviour in unstructured environments3.4Testing under adverse conditions3.5Communication and autonomy failures3.6Cybersecurity in robots3.7Maintenance and obsolescence3.8Test standards for response robots (ASTM E54)3.9Incident investigation3.10Laboratory: risk assessment of a mobile robot
4.1Civil liability for robot damage4.2European Parliament resolution of 2017 on robotics4.3Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 on machinery4.4IHL applied to robots4.5Robots in internal security and use of force4.6Reviews of new weapons4.7Data logging for audit4.8Insurance and certification4.9Debate on electronic personhood4.10Case study: police robot and use of force
5.1Changing role of the soldier5.2Psychological effects on operators5.3Perception among the local population5.4Moral distance and asymmetric risk5.5Job displacement5.6Equal access to technology5.7Proliferation and non-state actors5.8Dialogue with society5.9Public opinion on military robots5.10Workshop: social impact assessment of a robot
6.1Definition of the non-lethal mission6.2Conceptual robot design6.3Value analysis in design6.4Safety assessment6.5Legal analysis6.6Social impact assessment6.7Test plan6.8Final ethical evaluation6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ROS 2, Gazebo, MATLAB Robotics System Toolbox, Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real simulation procedures for mobile robots, risk analysis of robotic systems and assessment of safety cases. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the applications of autonomous robotics in defence and security.
Apply robotics ethics frameworks, such as BS 8611, to design.
Assess the safety and reliability of autonomous robots.
Analyse the legal framework and the attribution of liability.
Evaluate the human and social impact of deploying robots.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards reading.
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 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. This is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses ROS 2, Gazebo, MATLAB Robotics System Toolbox, Python. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM own diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrative project. This is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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