Master’s in Mobile Robots (AMR/AGV) and Intralogistics Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in mobile robot (AMR/AGV) and intralogistics engineering. 12 modules covering vehicle types, kinematics, sensors, localisation and mapping, navigation, fleet management, safety, infrastructure and fleet sizing under ISO 3691-4, ANSI/RIA R15.08-1 and VDA 5050, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Mobile Robots (AMR/AGV) and Intralogistics Engineering — studying from South Africa
Robotics and automation are growing in South African manufacturing, mining and logistics, where companies seek to improve productivity and safety. Automotive plants, food processors and mining operations use industrial robots, programmable logic controllers and process automation systems. Universities such as Stellenbosch and the University of Pretoria research robotics and control theory. Engineers in this field combine electrical, mechanical and software skills to design and integrate automated systems.
Fees for South Africa: R 166 000 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any South African body. Professional engineering registration in South Africa is through ECSA, which assesses accredited training and experience. Whether a private SEIUM qualification is recognised is decided by employers or the relevant body, so confirm acceptance before enrolling.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in robotics and automation?
Manufacturing, mining, logistics and automation integrators in South Africa often value applied skills in control systems, programming and integration. A private qualification may support your CV, particularly with practical projects, but it is not state-recognised. Its value depends on each employer's view, so ask potential employers how they would assess it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from South Africa without a student visa. Master's programmes require 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments and employer sponsorship is possible. Check time-zone and workload expectations with SEIUM directly.
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
Analyse intralogistics flows and automation opportunities.
Select AGV and AMR types according to the application.
Apply localisation, mapping and autonomous navigation techniques.
Design fleet management and integrate it with warehouse management systems.
Apply mobile robot safety standards.
Size fleets using simulation.
Develop a complete intralogistics project with mobile robots.
Who it's for
- Mobile robotics engineers.
- Intralogistics engineers.
- AGV/AMR systems integrators.
- Autonomous navigation engineers.
- Logistics simulation engineers.
- Warehouse automation managers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter logistics and distribution.
What you'll work with
- ISO 3691-4 (safety of driverless industrial trucks)
- ANSI/RIA R15.08-1 (safety of industrial mobile robots)
- VDA 5050 (AGV/AMR–fleet manager communication interface)
- ISO 13849-1 (safety-related parts of control systems)
- IEC 61496-3 (active opto-electronic protective devices – scanners)
- ISO 12100 (risk assessment and risk reduction)
- Directive 2006/42/EC (EU Machinery Directive)
- EN 1175 (electrical requirements for industrial trucks)
- ROS 2 with Nav2
- Gazebo
- AnyLogic
- FlexSim
- SICK Safety Designer
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Material flows in plants and warehouses1.2Differences between AGVs and AMRs1.3Use cases for mobile robots1.4Flow analysis and bottlenecks1.5Logistics flow indicators1.6Market trends1.7Integration with people1.8Acquisition and service models1.9Logistics return on investment1.10Case study: flow analysis of a spare-parts warehouse
2.1Towing AGVs and load carriers2.2Automated forklift trucks2.3Shelf-transport robots2.4AMRs for boxes and totes2.5Omnidirectional vehicles2.6Mobile platforms with a robot arm2.7Autonomous tugger trains2.8Picking robots2.9Vehicle selection by application2.10Practical: vehicle selection for three flows
3.1Differential-drive robots3.2Ackermann-steered vehicles3.3Omnidirectional and mecanum wheels3.4Odometry and its errors3.5Dynamic vehicle models3.6Motor speed control3.7Stability under load3.8Drive sizing3.9Batteries and autonomy3.10Lab: odometry calibration of a differential-drive robot
4.12D and 3D LiDAR4.2Depth cameras4.3Ultrasonic proximity sensors4.4Inertial measurement units4.5Wheel encoders4.6Safety sensors4.7Sensor fusion for navigation4.8Extrinsic calibration between sensors4.9Robustness in industrial environments4.10Practical: fusing odometry and IMU with a Kalman filter
5.1Navigation with physical guidance5.2Laser reflector navigation5.3Monte Carlo localisation5.4LiDAR SLAM5.5Visual SLAM with cameras5.6Occupancy maps5.7Relocalisation and environment changes5.8Localisation in dynamic environments5.9Docking accuracy5.10Lab: SLAM with ROS 2 and slam_toolbox
6.1Global planning with A* and Dijkstra6.2Local planning and obstacle avoidance6.3Dynamic window approach6.4Planners in Nav26.5Navigation in narrow aisles6.6Docking and precise positioning6.7Navigation under load6.8Recovery behaviours6.9Tuning navigation parameters6.10Workshop: configuring Nav2 in a simulated warehouse
7.1The fleet manager and its functions7.2Task allocation7.3Traffic management and deadlocks7.4Multi-robot route planning7.5Battery charging management7.6VDA 5050 interoperability7.7Interfaces with WMS and ERP7.8Fleet supervision7.9Scaling mixed fleets7.10Practical: simulating a fleet with VDA 5050
8.1ISO 3691-4 and its scope8.2ANSI/RIA R15.08 standard8.3Safety scanners and fields8.4Speeds and braking distances8.5Operating and confined zones8.6Interaction with pedestrians8.7Mobile robots with a manipulator8.8System risk assessment8.9Vehicle safety validation8.10Case study: risks on a route with a pedestrian crossing
9.1Floor requirements9.2Doors, lifts and goods lifts9.3Charging stations9.4Wi-Fi and 5G connectivity9.5Signage and floor marking9.6Racking and transfer stations9.7Interfaces with conveyors9.8Lighting and ambient conditions9.9Coexistence with manual forklifts9.10Workshop: adapting a plant for an AMR fleet
10.1Discrete-event simulation10.2Fleet simulation in Gazebo10.3Calculating the number of vehicles10.4Cycle-time analysis10.5Demand scenarios10.6Digital twin of the logistics system10.7Throughput validation10.8Sensitivity to failures10.9Sizing report10.10Practical: fleet sizing with discrete simulation
11.1Requirements specification11.2Supplier selection11.3Factory acceptance tests11.4On-site commissioning11.5User training11.6Fleet operating KPIs11.7Vehicle maintenance11.8Continuous improvement of operations11.9Organisational change management11.10Case study: deploying a fleet of 20 AMRs
12.1Flow and requirements analysis12.2Selection of vehicle technology12.3Navigation and layout design12.4Fleet management and integration12.5Risk assessment and safety12.6Simulation and sizing12.7Economic analysis of the fleet12.8Conclusions on the intralogistics system12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits alongside your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ROS 2 with Nav2, Gazebo, AnyLogic, FlexSim and SICK Safety Designer, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: navigation and mapping with mobile robots in simulated and real environments, simulation and sizing of logistics fleets, and configuration of safety fields on autonomous vehicles. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 3691-4, ANSI/RIA R15.08-1, VDA 5050, ISO 13849-1, IEC 61496-3, ISO 12100, Directive 2006/42/EC, EN 1175.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent proven 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.
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 ROS 2 with Nav2, Gazebo, AnyLogic, FlexSim and SICK Safety Designer, 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.
Related programmes
Master’s in AI-Based Edge Inspection Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in edge AI inspection engineering, structured in 12 modules covering defect datasets, classification, detection and anomaly models, edge hardware, inference…
Master’s in CE Marking and Machinery Conformity
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in CE marking and machinery conformity: 12 modules covering fundamentals, regulations, modelling and simulation, design, systems integration, safety, validation, operation…
Master’s in Industrial and Economic MPC Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in industrial and economic MPC engineering, structured in 12 modules covering identification for MPC, linear, economic, nonlinear, robust and stochastic…
More in Robotics, Automation & Control
All Robotics, Automation & Control programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships