Postgraduate Diploma in MPC and Real-Time Optimal Control for AD
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in MPC and Real-Time Optimal Control for AD. 8 modules covering ISO 26262:2018, ISO 11270:2014 and acados. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in MPC and Real-Time Optimal Control for AD — studying from New Zealand
Autonomy and advanced driver assistance work in New Zealand is mostly applied rather than manufacturing-led, with significant interest in autonomous systems for agriculture, forestry, mining and port logistics. Research groups at the University of Auckland and the University of Canterbury contribute to robotics, perception and control, and firms in these regions develop software for driverless and remote-operated machinery. Engineers in this area often collaborate with government transport agencies on the regulatory frameworks that will govern automated vehicles on public roads.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$3,550 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Which New Zealand bodies oversee autonomous and ADAS vehicle work, and how is engineering registration handled?
Engineering registration in New Zealand is handled by Engineering New Zealand, which offers Chartered Professional Engineer status. Land transport rules, including those affecting vehicle technology, are administered by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. SEIUM is a private institute and its qualifications are not state degrees or accredited by a national body, so recognition is ultimately a matter for employers or the relevant body.
Who employs autonomous vehicle and ADAS engineers in New Zealand?
Demand comes mainly from vehicle importers and fleet operators exploring driver assistance, software suppliers, research organisations and firms developing mobility or automation systems. Employers typically look for software, sensing and systems skills backed by project evidence. A private online qualification may help show your learning, but it does not guarantee a role or any particular salary.
Is this programme workable online from New Zealand with a full-time job?
Yes. The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from New Zealand without needing a student visa. You will have an assigned technical tutor and complete a final project. Specialist courses run 300 hours, diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours. Fees can be paid in instalments, and your employer may be willing to sponsor you.
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 vehicle dynamics for control purposes.
Understand the fundamentals of optimal control.
Design constrained linear MPC controllers.
Implement NMPC for demanding manoeuvres.
Improve control robustness under uncertainty.
Deploy predictive controllers in real time.
Validate controllers in simulation and on track.
Who it's for
- Control engineer who wants to specialise in MPC and Real-Time Optimal Control for AD.
- Vehicle dynamics engineer who wants to specialise in MPC and Real-Time Optimal Control for AD.
- Autonomous driving software engineer who wants to specialise in MPC and Real-Time Optimal Control for AD.
- Optimisation researcher who wants to specialise in MPC and Real-Time Optimal Control for AD.
- Embedded systems engineer who wants to specialise in MPC and Real-Time Optimal Control for AD.
- Chassis validation engineer who wants to specialise in MPC and Real-Time Optimal Control for AD.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 26262:2018
- ISO 11270:2014
- ISO 15622:2018
- ISO 21448:2022 (SOTIF)
- Reglamento ONU n.º 79
- ISO 3888-2:2011
- ISO 8855:2011
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Kinematic bicycle model1.2Dynamic bicycle model1.3Linear tyre model and Pacejka's magic formula1.4Longitudinal dynamics and powertrain1.5Linearisation and discretisation1.6Parameter identification1.7Actuator constraints1.8Model validation1.9Load transfer and roll1.10Laboratory: identification of a lateral model
2.1Pontryagin's maximum principle2.2Dynamic programming2.3Continuous and discrete LQR2.4Predictive control as optimisation2.5Prediction and control horizons2.6Cost functions and weights2.7Stability and terminal cost2.8Recursive feasibility2.9Reference tracking with integral action2.10Practice: LQR for lane following
3.1Constrained formulation3.2Quadratic programming and condensing3.3Lateral trajectory tracking3.4Longitudinal control and ACC3.5Comfort and jerk constraints3.6Linear time-varying models3.7Weight tuning3.8OSQP and qpOASES solvers3.9Soft constraints and slack variables3.10Laboratory: lateral MPC with OSQP
4.1NMPC formulation4.2Multiple shooting and collocation4.3Real-Time Iteration4.4Code generation with acados4.5Combined lateral and longitudinal control4.6Driving at the limit of adhesion4.7Collision constraints4.8Initialisation and warm start4.9Numerical integrators and their accuracy4.10Laboratory: NMPC with acados
5.1Tube-based robust MPC5.2Stochastic MPC and probabilistic constraints5.3State estimation and observers5.4Delay compensation5.5Wind and slope disturbances5.6Adaptive MPC5.7MPC with residual learning5.8Sensitivity analysis5.9Variation of the friction coefficient5.10Practice: tube MPC under disturbances
6.1Available computation time6.2Embedded code generation6.3Explicit MPC6.4Quantisation and fixed-point arithmetic6.5Automotive computing platforms6.6Integration with ROS 2 and AUTOSAR6.7Solver supervision and fallback6.8MIL, SIL and HIL testing6.9Worst-case execution time analysis6.10Laboratory: deployment on an embedded system
7.1Tracking and comfort metrics7.2Simulation test scenarios7.3Track testing7.4Functional safety of the controller7.5Control software quality7.6Interaction with planning7.7Corner cases7.8Technical documentation7.9Standardised double lane change manoeuvres7.10Workshop: controller test protocol
8.1Target manoeuvre8.2Vehicle modelling8.3MPC formulation8.4Solver implementation8.5Tuning and robustness8.6Simulation tests8.7Real-time evaluation8.8Analysis of results8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is acados, CasADi, MATLAB Model Predictive Control Toolbox, IPG CarMaker, Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real lateral control procedures with linear MPC, lane change manoeuvres with NMPC, and real-time deployment on embedded hardware. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Model vehicle dynamics for control purposes.
Understand the fundamentals of optimal control.
Design constrained linear MPC controllers.
Implement NMPC for demanding manoeuvres.
Improve control robustness under uncertainty.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient English 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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours a week, compatible with a full-time job.
Work is carried out with acados, CasADi, MATLAB Model Predictive Control Toolbox, IPG CarMaker, Simulink. 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 integrating 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 towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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