Postgraduate Diploma in Trajectory Planning (Sampling/Graph/Optimization)
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Trajectory Planning (Sampling/Graph/Optimization). 8 modules covering ISO 26262:2018, ISO 21448:2022 (SOTIF) and OMPL. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Trajectory Planning (Sampling/Graph/Optimization) — 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$2,550 (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
Formulate the trajectory planning problem in driving.
Apply graph-based planning algorithms.
Implement sampling-based planners.
Solve planning as an optimisation problem.
Plan in dynamic environments with interaction.
Compare hybrid and learning-based planners.
Validate planners through scenarios and simulation.
Who it's for
- Motion planning engineer who wants to specialise in Trajectory Planning (Sampling/Graph/Optimization).
- Robotics engineer who wants to specialise in Trajectory Planning (Sampling/Graph/Optimization).
- Autonomous driving software engineer who wants to specialise in Trajectory Planning (Sampling/Graph/Optimization).
- Optimisation researcher who wants to specialise in Trajectory Planning (Sampling/Graph/Optimization).
- Simulation engineer who wants to specialise in Trajectory Planning (Sampling/Graph/Optimization).
- Validation engineer who wants to specialise in Trajectory Planning (Sampling/Graph/Optimization).
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 26262:2018
- ISO 21448:2022 (SOTIF)
- ISO 34502:2022
- ASAM OpenSCENARIO 1.2
- IEEE 2846-2022
- UN Regulation No. 157
- ISO 22737:2021
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Route, behaviour and motion1.2Configuration and state spaces1.3Kinematic and dynamic constraints1.4Frenet frame1.5Safety, comfort and progress costs1.6Obstacle representation1.7Real-time requirements1.8Planning benchmarks1.9Completeness and optimality of algorithms1.10Case study: overtaking manoeuvre
2.1State grids and lattices2.2Dijkstra and A* algorithms2.3Hybrid A* for parking2.4Admissible heuristics2.5D* Lite and replanning2.6Motion primitives2.7Lane graphs2.8Complexity and scalability2.9Reeds-Shepp and Dubins curves2.10Laboratory: Hybrid A* in Python
3.1Probabilistic Roadmaps3.2RRT and RRT*3.3Kinodynamic variants3.4Sampling in the Frenet frame3.5Informed and biased sampling3.6Asymptotic optimality3.7Comparison with graph methods3.8Unstructured environments3.9Efficient collision checking3.10Laboratory: RRT* with OMPL
4.1Optimal control as a formulation4.2Sequential quadratic programming4.3Spline smoothing4.4Collision constraints4.5CHOMP and TrajOpt4.6Planning with iLQR4.7OSQP, IPOPT and acados solvers4.8Convexification of free space4.9Initialisation with graph solutions4.10Practice: trajectory optimisation with CasADi
5.1Moving obstacles and prediction5.2Spatio-temporal planning5.3Speed profile with ST-graph5.4Robust planning under uncertainty5.5Interaction-aware planning5.6Safety margins5.7Responsibility-Sensitive Safety5.8Temporal consistency when replanning5.9Contingency planning5.10Laboratory: ST planner in CommonRoad
6.1Sampling combined with optimisation6.2Apollo and Autoware architectures6.3Imitation for planning6.4Trajectory evaluation with networks6.5End-to-end planners6.6Guarantees for learned planners6.7nuPlan as a benchmark6.8GPU parallelism6.9Rule-based planners as a reference6.10Case study: comparison on nuPlan
7.1Safety and comfort metrics7.2Scenarios with OpenSCENARIO7.3Closed-loop simulation7.4Regression testing7.5Formal verification of trajectories7.6Compliance with traffic rules7.7Functional safety requirements7.8Vehicle testing7.9Generation of critical scenarios7.10Workshop: scenario battery for a planner
8.1Scenario and ODD8.2Chosen planning approach8.3Planner implementation8.4Cost function and tuning8.5Integration with prediction8.6Simulation evaluation8.7Comparison with another approach8.8Analysis of limitations8.9Report 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. 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 OMPL, CasADi, CommonRoad, Autoware, nuPlan devkit, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real implementation procedures for Hybrid A* parking, trajectory optimisation on motorways and closed-loop evaluation of planners. Assessment is continuous across each 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.
Formulate the trajectory planning problem in driving.
Apply graph-based planning algorithms.
Implement sampling-based planners.
Solve planning as an optimisation problem.
Plan in dynamic environments with interaction.
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 regulatory 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 total hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with OMPL, CasADi, CommonRoad, Autoware and nuPlan devkit. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM Institute upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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