Course on Exoskeleton Design for Nuclear Maintenance
Online course of 300 h in Exoskeleton Design for Nuclear Maintenance. 6 modules covering ISO 13482 (personal care robots), Directive 2006/42/EC (machinery) and OpenSim. Dedicated tutor and enrolment open.
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 the role of exoskeletons in nuclear maintenance tasks.
Apply principles of user biomechanics to design.
Design the mechanical structure and actuators of the exoskeleton.
Select sensors, control systems and power sources.
Evaluate risks and machinery safety requirements.
Plan validation and deployment on site.
Develop an integrated exoskeleton project.
Who it's for
- Exoskeleton design engineer looking to specialise in Exoskeleton Design for Nuclear Maintenance.
- Biomechanical engineer looking to specialise in Exoskeleton Design for Nuclear Maintenance.
- Mechatronics engineer looking to specialise in Exoskeleton Design for Nuclear Maintenance.
- Industrial ergonomics specialist looking to specialise in Exoskeleton Design for Nuclear Maintenance.
- Nuclear maintenance engineer looking to specialise in Exoskeleton Design for Nuclear Maintenance.
- Machinery safety engineer looking to specialise in Exoskeleton Design for Nuclear Maintenance.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into nuclear power plants.
What you'll work with
- ISO 13482 (personal care robots)
- Directive 2006/42/EC (machinery)
- ISO 12100 (safety of machinery, risk assessment)
- ISO 13849-1 (safety-related parts of control systems)
- ISO 11228 (ergonomics of manual handling)
- Royal Decree 1029/2022 (Spain) (health protection against ionising radiation)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1What problem an exoskeleton solves and what it does not1.2Musculoskeletal injuries in maintenance tasks1.3Passive, active and semi-active exoskeletons1.4Full-body, trunk, shoulder and lower-limb devices1.5Tasks where it helps and tasks where it gets in the way1.6The real state of the market versus the marketing pitch1.7Worker acceptance and why pilots fail1.8Regulatory framework and legal status of the equipment1.9Ergonomics and biomechanics vocabulary1.10Exercise: identifying candidate tasks in a plant
2.1Functional anatomy of the shoulder, back and hip2.2Kinematic chains and degrees of freedom2.3Joint moments in working postures2.4Static versus dynamic loading2.5Workstation ergonomic assessment methods2.6Measuring muscle activity and perceived exertion2.7Anthropometric variability and equipment fit2.8Fatigue and recovery2.9Load transfer: where the removed effort ends up2.10Practice: ergonomic assessment of a real task
3.1Device architecture and alignment with the joints3.2Misalignments and how to stop them causing injury3.3Elastic elements, springs and energy storage3.4Electric and pneumatic actuators3.5Transmissions, cables and gear reducers3.6Materials, weight and mass distribution3.7Body interfaces: straps, padding and pressure3.8Quick adjustment and sizing3.9Durability, cleaning and maintenance of the exoskeleton itself3.10Practice: sizing the shoulder support of a passive exoskeleton
4.1Posture, force and muscle activity sensors4.2Detecting user intent4.3Control strategies: proportional and gravity-compensation assistance4.4Control stability and behaviour on failure4.5Operating modes and transitions4.6Batteries, runtime and in-shift recharging4.7Usage data logging and worker privacy4.8User interface and feedback4.9Cybersecurity of a wearable device4.10Practice: defining the control logic of a shoulder exoskeleton
5.1Risk analysis of the device and of the person-device system5.2Applicable regulations and product marking5.3Laboratory and field testing5.4Effectiveness indicators: what to measure to know if it works5.5Designing an honest industrial pilot5.6User training and adaptation period5.7Maintenance, inspection and decommissioning5.8Total cost and expected return5.9Change management and the role of worker representatives5.10Practice: designing the validation protocol for a pilot
6.1Choosing the task and the maintenance environment6.2Baseline ergonomic assessment6.3Device requirements6.4Conceptual design and architecture selection6.5Mechanical and actuation sizing6.6Risk analysis6.7User validation plan6.8Economic analysis6.9Technical report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake period, making it easy to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The software used is OpenSim, AnyBody Modeling System, SolidWorks, MATLAB/Simulink, ROS, in free, academic or trial versions. Testing is studied through real procedures from motion capture and electromyography, prototyping and ergonomics testing, validation in simulated maintenance tasks. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus a final capstone project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Analyse the role of exoskeletons in nuclear maintenance tasks.
Apply principles of user biomechanics to design.
Design the mechanical structure and actuators of the exoskeleton.
Select sensors, control systems and power sources.
Evaluate risks and machinery safety requirements.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No previous qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
- A level of 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 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with OpenSim, AnyBody Modeling System, SolidWorks, MATLAB/Simulink, ROS. Free, academic or trial versions are used, and your tutor will point out a free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the capstone project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state-accredited degree.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Check the credit recognition policy when you enrol.
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