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 the United Kingdom
Robotics and automation are growing across the United Kingdom, from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and research. Universities including Bristol, Oxford, Imperial College London and Edinburgh host robotics research, while the Robotics and Autonomous Systems hub and the Advanced Robotics Hub support collaboration with industry. Manufacturers, logistics operators and automation integrators employ engineers in control systems, sensing, programming and systems integration. Safety standards for collaborative robots shape deployment across industries.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £910 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies recognise robotics and control engineering, and how does SEIUM's training fit?
The Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers are the main UK professional bodies for control and automation engineers. Chartered status is awarded through the Engineering Council via accredited routes. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by any national body, so any recognition by these institutions is their own decision.
Will UK robotics and automation employers value a private online qualification?
UK robotics and automation employers usually weigh practical projects, programming skills and relevant experience heavily. A private qualification can support your CV where it reflects applied control or robotics work, particularly a strong final project. Employers decide how much value to attach to it, so tailor your application to their stated requirements.
Can I balance this with a UK job, and is there support in English?
Yes. The programmes are 100% online, taught in English, and you are assigned a technical tutor for support. Study ranges from 300 to 1,900 hours, so plan your schedule accordingly. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. No student visa is required because you study from within the UK.
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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