Postgraduate Diploma in Trust/Over-trust and Communication of Intent
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Trust/Over-trust and Communication of Intent. 8 modules covering ISO/TR 21959, SAE J3114 and Unity. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Trust/Over-trust and Communication of Intent — studying from Malta
Malta is developing a niche in digital and software-intensive technologies, including connected mobility and vehicle-related software. The island's strong information technology and telecommunications base provides a natural foundation for work on advanced driver assistance, vehicle data and embedded software. Opportunities tend to arise with software houses, technology consultancies and multinational companies with engineering centres on the island. Professionals working in this area benefit from familiarity with functional safety standards and the software development practices used across the automotive value chain.
Fees for Malta: €1,290 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Who regulates engineering practice and vehicle safety relevant to ADAS in Malta?
Engineering as a profession in Malta is regulated through the Chamber of Engineers (KSU) under the Engineering Profession Act, which governs the use of the title 'engineer'. Vehicle type approval and roadworthiness are handled by Transport Malta, and EU-level vehicle regulations apply. A SEIUM qualification is a private one and is not accredited by a national body, so its recognition depends on employers or the relevant authority.
Which Maltese employers could use ADAS or software-defined vehicle skills?
Demand in Malta is mainly from software, electronics and digital engineering firms, some serving automotive clients abroad, along with vehicle service and fleet operators. Large autonomous-vehicle deployment is not a major local sector, so roles are often remote or international. Employers will assess your portfolio, experience and any formal credentials, so present the qualification alongside concrete project work.
Can I study this at my own pace from Malta, and what language and workload should I expect?
Yes. Programmes are 100% online and taught in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. No student visa is needed to study from home. Time zone is usually not a barrier since you study asynchronously, but confirm the schedule with the institute. Plan around your working hours, and ask about instalment payments and 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 psychological models of trust in automation.
Identify and prevent overtrust and misuse.
Measure trust using validated instruments.
Design appropriate transparency and explanations.
Communicate the vehicle's intent to its occupants.
Communicate the vehicle's intent to other road users.
Apply design principles for calibrated trust.
Who it's for
- Human factors specialist wishing to specialise in Trust/Over-trust and Communication of Intent.
- Trust in automation researcher wishing to specialise in Trust/Over-trust and Communication of Intent.
- HMI designer wishing to specialise in Trust/Over-trust and Communication of Intent.
- Passenger experience designer wishing to specialise in Trust/Over-trust and Communication of Intent.
- Road safety analyst wishing to specialise in Trust/Over-trust and Communication of Intent.
- User experience consultant wishing to specialise in Trust/Over-trust and Communication of Intent.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to join car manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- ISO/TR 21959
- SAE J3114
- ISO/TR 23049
- SAE J3134
- UNECE R157
- UNECE R171
- ISO 9241-11:2018
- ISO 15005
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Lee and See's definitions of trust1.2Calibrated trust, excess and deficit1.3Dimensions: ability, integrity and predictability1.4Formation and evolution of trust1.5Effect of failures on trust1.6Complacency and automation bias1.7Individual and cultural differences1.8Dispositional, situational and learned trust1.9Relationship between trust and use1.10Case study: analysis of overtrust in Level 2 crashes
2.1Indicators of overtrust in driving2.2Secondary tasks during automation2.3Supervision-evasion devices and their detection2.4Effect of the system's brand name2.5NTSB and NHTSA investigations2.6Long-term inattention patterns2.7Design against foreseeable misuse2.8Recalibration strategies2.9Driver supervision requirements2.10Workshop: foreseeable misuse analysis of a motorway assistant
3.1Trust scales by Jian and colleagues3.2Acceptance questionnaires: van der Laan and UTAUT3.3Behavioural measures of trust3.4Eye tracking as an indicator of supervision3.5Physiological measures3.6Continuous measurement during driving3.7Longitudinal study design3.8Validity and reliability of instruments3.9Statistical analysis of trust data3.10Laboratory: trust study in a simulator
4.1SAT transparency model4.2Communicating what the system perceives4.3Communicating uncertainty and limitations4.4Real-time explanations of decisions4.5Balancing information and mental workload4.6Environment visualisation on displays4.7Communicating capabilities in the manual and at the dealership4.8Explanations for robotaxi passengers4.9Evaluating the effect of transparency4.10Practice: designing a perception display for passengers
5.1Manoeuvre intent for the driver5.2Anticipating lane changes and braking5.3Haptic and audible intent signals5.4Augmented reality displays5.5Consistency between announced and executed intent5.6Communication in conflict situations5.7Design for passengers without a driver5.8Applicable interface standards5.9User testing5.10Workshop: manoeuvre intent HUD
6.1Need for communication with other road users6.2Implicit signals: movement and position6.3Explicit signals on the vehicle6.4Recommendations from ISO/TR 230496.5ADS marker lamps from SAE J31346.6Interaction with pedestrians and cyclists6.7Interaction with human drivers6.8Cultural differences in communication6.9Risks of ambiguous communication6.10Case study: interaction with pedestrians at an unsignalised crossing
7.1Design principles for trust7.2Feedback on system performance7.3Progressive introduction of functions7.4User training7.5Managing trust after incidents7.6Public communication and responsible marketing7.7Regulatory transparency requirements7.8Trust indicators in fleets7.9Continuous improvement based on data7.10Practice: design guide for calibrated trust
8.1System and user selection8.2Overtrust risk analysis8.3Transparency strategy8.4Internal communication design8.5External communication design8.6User study8.7Analysis of results8.8Design recommendations8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100 % online study 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 it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Unity, Tobii Pro Lab, iMotions, Qualtrics, SPSS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practicals are based on real procedures from longitudinal trust studies in simulators, intent communication tests with pedestrians, and evaluation of transparency interfaces. Assessment is continuous by 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 psychological models of trust in automation.
Identify and prevent overtrust and misuse.
Measure trust using validated instruments.
Design appropriate transparency and explanations.
Communicate the vehicle's intent to its occupants.
Where this takes you
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's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow the reading of 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 800 hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses Unity, Tobii Pro Lab, iMotions, Qualtrics, SPSS. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Check the credit recognition policy when you enrol.
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