Master'sDesign, HMI & Product Applications open

Master’s in HMI for Autonomous Vehicles (Levels 2–4)

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in HMI for autonomous vehicles (Levels 2–4): handover, trust, explainability and supervised driving. 12 modules covering driving automation, human factors, control transitions, driver monitoring, interface design, external communication, Level 4 and passenger HMI, evaluation methods, regulations and technical implementation, with SAE J3016, UNECE Regulation No. 157 and UNECE Regulation No. 171, and an assigned technical tutor.

Duration12–14 months

ModeOnline

LanguageEnglish

Start datesSet by the faculty

AwardSEIUM Institute diploma

Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor

Master’s in HMI for Autonomous Vehicles (Levels 2–4) — studying from New Zealand

Product design and human-machine interface work in New Zealand spans consumer goods, medical devices, agricultural machinery and digital products, with a strong design community in Auckland and Wellington. Design-led companies often export globally, and the country's reputation for innovation in outdoor and sporting equipment supports a steady demand for industrial designers. Professionals may work in-house for manufacturers, in design consultancies, or with research organisations on usability and interface development.

Fees for New Zealand: NZ$13,700 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in New Zealand

Designers Institute of New Zealand (DINZ)
Design Institute of New Zealand
Standards New Zealand

Typical roles

Industrial Designer
UX/HMI Designer
Product Design Engineer
Design Engineer

Questions from New Zealand

Do New Zealand professional bodies regulate design and human-machine interface work?

Design and HMI work is generally not a regulated profession in New Zealand. Engineers in product roles may pursue Engineering New Zealand registration if their work is engineering-based. Industry associations also exist for designers. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their value is judged by employers.

Where do product and HMI engineers work in New Zealand?

Typical employers include software and hardware product companies, manufacturers, medical device and consumer product firms, and design consultancies. Hiring usually focuses on a strong portfolio and evidence of user-centred work. A private qualification can add to your profile, but it does not guarantee employment or a particular outcome.

Is this workable online with a job, and what language level is needed?

The programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you need solid English for technical reading and writing. No student visa is required to study from New Zealand. You will have an assigned technical tutor and complete a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible, and specialist courses take 300 hours.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

Understand the levels of automation and the division of tasks.

Apply human factors to the design of automated systems.

Design safe control transitions.

Integrate driver monitoring systems.

Design internal and external interfaces for automated vehicles.

Evaluate HMI with simulators and user studies.

Meet the regulatory requirements for automated driving.

Profile

Who it's for

ADAS HMI designers.
Human factors researchers.
Automated driving systems engineers.
Driver monitoring specialists.
Passenger experience designers.
HMI validation engineers.
Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the automotive industry.

Standards & tools

What you'll work with

SAE J3016 (levels of driving automation)
UNECE Regulation No. 157 (Automated Lane Keeping Systems)
UNECE Regulation No. 171 (Driver Control Assistance Systems)
Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 (vehicle general safety)
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1426 (type approval of automated driving systems)
ISO 21448 (safety of the intended functionality, SOTIF)
SAE J3134 (ADS marker lamps)
ISO 15007 (measurement of driver visual behaviour)
SILAB
IPG CarMaker
Unity
Tobii Pro Lab
MATLAB Stateflow

Syllabus

12 modules

1.1SAE J3016 levels
1.2Level 2 and 2+ systems
1.3Level 3 conditional driving
1.4Level 4 and the operational design domain
1.5Division of tasks between driver and system
1.6Common ADAS functions
1.7Systems on the market
1.8Accidents and investigations
1.9User expectations and trust
1.10Case study: analysis of the HMI of three Level 2 systems

2.1Situational awareness
2.2Complacency and overtrust
2.3Trust calibration
2.4Mental models of the system
2.5Mode confusion
2.6Out of the control loop
2.7Workload and underload
2.8Drowsiness in automated driving
2.9Individual differences
2.10Practical: interviews on users' mental models

3.1Take-over requests
3.2Take-over reaction time
3.3Quality of the recovery
3.4Planned and urgent transitions
3.5Minimal risk manoeuvres
3.6Activation and deactivation
3.7Availability indicators
3.8Warning escalation
3.9Regulation 157 and ALKS
3.10Lab: take-over experiment in a simulator

4.1Camera-based DMS
4.2Gaze and eyelid detection
4.3Hands on the wheel and capacitive sensors
4.4Distraction detection
4.5Drowsiness detection
4.6DDAW and ADDW distraction regulations
4.7Privacy of cabin data
4.8Occupant monitoring
4.9Integration with the warning strategy
4.10Practical: defining the thresholds of a DMS

5.1ADAS information architecture
5.2Representation of the perceived environment
5.3Iconography and status colours
5.4Visual, acoustic and haptic warnings
5.5Steering wheel and pedals as an interface
5.6Status lighting in the cabin
5.7HUD for automated driving
5.8Route planning interface
5.9Manufacturers' style guides
5.10Workshop: states of a Level 3 system

6.1eHMI and pedestrians
6.2Interaction with cyclists
6.3Turquoise marker lamps
6.4Ground projections
6.5Intent signals
6.6SAE J3134 standardisation
6.7Studies with pedestrians
6.8Autonomous delivery vehicles
6.9Robotaxis and passengers
6.10Practical: eHMI concept for a robotaxi

7.1The driverless passenger experience
7.2Journey information
7.3Emergency stops
7.4Remote assistance
7.5Accessibility for people with disabilities
7.6Trust in driverless services
7.7Incident management
7.8Reconfigurable interiors
7.9Safety communication
7.10Case study: HMI of an autonomous shuttle

8.1Driving simulators
8.2Wizard of Oz in the vehicle
8.3Track testing
8.4Naturalistic studies
8.5Take-over metrics
8.6Eye tracking
8.7Trust and acceptance questionnaires
8.8Experimental design with participants
8.9Ethics in user studies
8.10Lab: Wizard of Oz study

9.1UNECE Regulation 157
9.2UNECE Regulation 171 (DCAS)
9.3Regulation (EU) 2019/2144
9.4Regulation (EU) 2022/1426 on ADS
9.5Euro NCAP assistance protocols
9.6ISO 21448 and reasonably foreseeable misuse
9.7NHTSA guidelines
9.8Communicating system limitations
9.9Event data recording
9.10Practical: HMI requirements matrix for a Level 3 system

10.1HMI electronic architecture
10.2Integration with ADAS controllers
10.3State logic and state machines
10.4Rapid prototyping
10.5Warning latencies
10.6Functional safety of warnings
10.7OTA updates of functions
10.8Cybersecurity
10.9HMI software validation
10.10Lab: state machine in Stateflow

11.1Social acceptance of automation
11.2Responsible marketing communication
11.3Driver training
11.4Manuals and digital onboarding
11.5Field usage data
11.6Continuous improvement
11.7Legal liability
11.8Insurance and automation
11.9Research trends
11.10Workshop: onboarding for a Level 2+ function

12.1Automated function and users
12.2Task and risk analysis
12.3HMI concept
12.4Transition strategy
12.5Interactive prototype
12.6Study with participants
12.7Analysis of results
12.8Design recommendations
12.9Master's Thesis report
12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel

Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

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

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SILAB, IPG CarMaker, Unity, Tobii Pro Lab and MATLAB Stateflow, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: take-over experiments in a simulator, Wizard of Oz studies in the vehicle and warning comprehension tests. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: SAE J3016, UNECE Regulation No. 157, UNECE Regulation No. 171, Regulation (EU) 2019/2144, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1426, ISO 21448, SAE J3134, ISO 15007.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.

Standards-based learning:guided reading of SAE J3016, UNECE Regulation No. 157 and UNECE Regulation No. 171 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.

Industry software:SILAB, IPG CarMaker, Unity, Tobii Pro Lab and MATLAB Stateflow, in free, academic or evaluation versions.

Master's Thesis with defence:An HMI concept for an automated driving function, from task and risk analysis to an interactive prototype tested with participants, defended before a panel.

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.

Function and task analysis

Define the automated function and its users and analyse tasks and risks.

HMI concept

Develop the HMI concept and the control transition strategy.

Interactive prototype

Build an interactive prototype of the HMI.

Study with participants

Run a study with participants and analyse the results.

Master's Thesis

Complete automated driving HMI with design recommendations, defended before a panel.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

ADAS HMI designerHuman factors researcherAutomated driving systems engineerDriver monitoring specialistPassenger experience designerHMI validation engineer

Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
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 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, IPG CarMaker, Unity, Tobii Pro Lab and MATLAB Stateflow, 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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