Postgraduate Diploma in Tactile/Torque Sensing and Active Compliance
800-hour online Postgraduate Diploma in Tactile/Torque Sensing and Active Compliance. 8 modules covering ISO/TS 15066:2016, ISO 10218-1:2025 and ROS 2 with ros2_control. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Tactile/Torque Sensing and Active Compliance — studying from New Zealand
Robotics and automation are increasingly important in New Zealand, especially in dairy processing, food manufacturing, forestry, horticulture and logistics. Research groups at the University of Auckland and the University of Canterbury lead in robotics and control engineering, and firms in these regions develop automated systems for primary industries. Engineers work on process control, industrial automation and robotic integration for manufacturers and technology providers.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$2,160 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Which New Zealand bodies recognise robotics and control engineering?
Engineering New Zealand is the professional body, and the Chartered Professional Engineer pathway is the recognised route to professional status. Universities such as the University of Auckland and the University of Canterbury offer accredited engineering degrees. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their recognition rests with employers or the relevant body.
Do robotics and automation employers in New Zealand value this training?
New Zealand has demand for automation skills in dairy processing, food manufacturing, forestry, and advanced manufacturing. Employers generally value practical project experience and programming ability highly. A SEIUM qualification can strengthen a CV, but whether it counts is for each employer to decide.
Is the programme workable alongside a full-time job in New Zealand?
Yes. The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from anywhere in New Zealand without a student visa. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. You have an assigned technical tutor, and fees are payable in instalments or sponsored by an employer where possible.
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
Select force, torque and tactile sensors.
Calibrate and compensate six-axis sensors.
Process tactile information to detect slip.
Implement force and hybrid control.
Solve contact-based assembly tasks.
Apply controlled force in finishing processes.
Configure torque-based collision detection.
Who it's for
- Robotics control engineer who wants to specialise in Tactile/Torque Sensing and Active Compliance.
- Sensor engineer who wants to specialise in Tactile/Torque Sensing and Active Compliance.
- Assembly application integrator who wants to specialise in Tactile/Torque Sensing and Active Compliance.
- Robotic manipulation researcher who wants to specialise in Tactile/Torque Sensing and Active Compliance.
- Finishing process engineer who wants to specialise in Tactile/Torque Sensing and Active Compliance.
- Cobot software developer who wants to specialise in Tactile/Torque Sensing and Active Compliance.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO/TS 15066:2016
- ISO 10218-1:2025
- ISO 9283:1998
- ISO 376:2011
- ISO 6789-1:2017
- ISO 13849-1:2023
8 modules · 800 h
1.1The role of contact in manipulation1.2Force, torque and pressure: quantities1.3Proprioceptive and exteroceptive sensors1.4Force estimation from motor current1.5Torque sensors in joints1.6Six-axis force-torque sensors1.7Tactile skin and pressure arrays1.8Required bandwidth and resolution1.9Industrial contact applications1.10Workshop: sensing requirements for an assembly task
2.1Strain gauges and bridges2.2Capacitive and optical sensors2.3Calibration of six-axis matrices2.4Tool gravity compensation2.5Thermal drift and offset2.6Signal conditioning and filtering2.7Mechanical integration at the wrist2.8EtherCAT and analogue interfaces2.9Selection of commercial sensors2.10Practical: calibration of an F/T sensor
3.1Piezoresistive and capacitive technologies3.2GelSight-type optical sensors3.3Dynamic piezoelectric sensors3.4Slip detection3.5Texture and shape recognition3.6Electronic skins for cobots3.7Tactile image processing3.8Learning from tactile data3.9Robustness and skin wear3.10Laboratory: slip detection with a tactile sensor
4.1Passive compliance with RCC4.2Stiffness of the environment and robot4.3Direct force control4.4Hybrid force-position control4.5Introduction to impedance control4.6Admittance control in industrial robots4.7Tuning stiffness and damping4.8Stability in rigid contact4.9Controller saturation and safety4.10Practical: force control in a polishing task
5.1Peg-in-hole insertion with reduced clearance5.2Spiral search strategies5.3Torque-controlled screwing5.4Press fitting and clips5.5Detection of insertion end5.6Assembly of flexible parts5.7Tolerances and misalignments5.8Assembly quality monitoring5.9Comparison with pure vision5.10Case study: force-controlled connector insertion
6.1Robotic polishing and sanding6.2Deburring with compliance6.3Grinding and surface finishing6.4Product testing with robots6.5Handling of fragile objects6.6Force control in sealing6.7Active compensation devices6.8Trajectory planning with contact6.9Surface quality and measurement6.10Laboratory: sanding with active compensation
7.1Torque-based collision detection7.2Generalised momentum observers7.3Collision reaction7.4Force limitation in cobots7.5ISO/TS 15066 limits in detection7.6Torque-based safety functions7.7Validation of detection7.8Diagnostics of torque sensors7.9Integration with cell safety7.10Case study: tuning collision thresholds
8.1Selection of the contact task8.2Sensor selection8.3Calibration and integration8.4Force controller design8.5Assembly or process strategy8.6Quality and robustness validation8.7Risk analysis of the contact process8.8Quality and robustness report8.9Written report and presentation8.10Final 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. 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 ROS 2 with ros2_control, MATLAB/Simulink, ATI F/T software, FRANKA Desk and libfranka, Python with NumPy, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for force-controlled insertions, calibration of force-torque sensors and collision detection in cobots. Assessment is continuous, module 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.
Select force, torque and tactile sensors.
Calibrate and compensate six-axis sensors.
Process tactile information to detect slip.
Implement force and hybrid control.
Solve contact-based assembly tasks.
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 documentation.
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 an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
Work is carried out with ROS 2 with ros2_control, MATLAB/Simulink, ATI F/T software, FRANKA Desk and libfranka, Python with NumPy. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
SEIUM's 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 count towards the higher-level programme. Check the credit recognition policy when you enrol.
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