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CourseDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Diploma in Autonomous Ground and Underground Robotics

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in autonomous ground and underground robotics. 8 modules covering mobile robot platforms, perception, localisation and mapping, planning and control, underground environments, safety and testing under ISO 8373, ISO 13482 and ISO 10218-1, with ROS 2 and an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the architecture of autonomous ground robots.

02

Design locomotion platforms for difficult terrain.

03

Implement perception, localisation and trajectory planning.

04

Solve the communication and navigation challenges of underground environments.

05

Apply safety and explosive atmosphere standards.

06

Evaluate performance using standardised test methods.

07

Develop autonomous systems for exploration and inspection.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Mobile robotics engineers.
  • Autonomous systems engineers.
  • Underground robotics specialists.
  • Perception engineers.
  • Functional safety engineers.
  • Wireless communications engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to move into mining.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 8373 (robotics vocabulary)
  • ISO 13482 (personal care robots, safety requirements)
  • ISO 10218-1 (safety of industrial robots)
  • ASTM E2826 (mobility testing of response robots)
  • Directive 2014/34/EU ATEX (potentially explosive atmospheres)
  • IEEE 1873-2015 (map representation for robot navigation)
  • IEC 61508 (functional safety)
  • ROS 2
  • Gazebo
  • NVIDIA Isaac Sim
  • Nav2
  • CloudCompare
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Autonomous robot architectures
  2. 1.2Wheels, tracks and legs
  3. 1.3Platform kinematics
  4. 1.4Electric propulsion systems
  5. 1.5Batteries and endurance
  6. 1.6On-board sensors
  7. 1.7Embedded computing
  8. 1.8ROS 2 as a platform
  9. 1.9Applications in mining and rescue
  10. 1.10Case study: platform selection for a tunnel
  1. 2.13D lidar
  2. 2.2Stereo and thermal cameras
  3. 2.3Radar in dusty environments
  4. 2.4Point cloud segmentation
  5. 2.5Obstacle detection
  6. 2.6Terrain classification
  7. 2.7Person detection
  8. 2.8Sensor fusion
  9. 2.9Calibration
  10. 2.10Lab: point cloud segmentation
  1. 3.1Wheel and inertial odometry
  2. 3.2Lidar SLAM
  3. 3.33D tunnel maps
  4. 3.4GNSS-denied localisation
  5. 3.5Loop closure in galleries
  6. 3.6Multi-robot maps
  7. 3.7Large map management
  8. 3.8Representation according to IEEE 1873
  9. 3.9Errors and drift
  10. 3.10Practical: gallery mapping in simulation
  1. 4.1Global planning
  2. 4.2Local planning
  3. 4.3Navigation with Nav2
  4. 4.4Planning on 3D terrain
  5. 4.5Trajectory control
  6. 4.6Autonomous exploration
  7. 4.7Coverage planning
  8. 4.8Dynamic obstacle avoidance
  9. 4.9Recovery from blockages
  10. 4.10Lab: autonomous navigation with Nav2
  1. 5.1Characteristics of mines and tunnels
  2. 5.2Underground wireless communications
  3. 5.3Deployable relay nodes
  4. 5.4Autonomy with intermittent communications
  5. 5.5Dust, water and mud
  6. 5.6Gases and explosive atmospheres
  7. 5.7ATEX certification
  8. 5.8Lessons from international competitions
  9. 5.9Multi-robot operation
  10. 5.10Case study: communications network in a mine
  1. 6.1IEC 61508 functional safety
  2. 6.2Safety in the presence of people
  3. 6.3ISO robot standards
  4. 6.4ASTM test methods
  5. 6.5Mobility tests
  6. 6.6Autonomy tests
  7. 6.7Simulation for validation
  8. 6.8Data logging
  9. 6.9Failure analysis
  10. 6.10Practical: mobility test over standard obstacles
  1. 7.1Mine inspection
  2. 7.2Search and rescue
  3. 7.3Inspection of tunnels and infrastructure
  4. 7.4Cave exploration
  5. 7.5Underground logistics
  6. 7.6Assisted teleoperation
  7. 7.7Operator interface
  8. 7.8Legal and ethical aspects
  9. 7.9Technology trends
  10. 7.10Workshop: concept for an underground inspection mission
  1. 8.1Mission definition
  2. 8.2Platform selection
  3. 8.3Sensor architecture
  4. 8.4Localisation system
  5. 8.5Planning and control
  6. 8.6Communications
  7. 8.7Test plan
  8. 8.8Evaluation of results
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
Methodology, software & labs

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 you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ROS 2, Gazebo, NVIDIA Isaac Sim, Nav2 and CloudCompare, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: autonomous navigation in a simulated tunnel, a mobility test over standard obstacles and the design of an underground communications network. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: ISO 8373, ISO 13482, ISO 10218-1, ASTM E2826, Directive 2014/34/EU ATEX, IEEE 1873-2015, IEC 61508.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 8373, ISO 13482, ISO 10218-1, ASTM E2826 and the ATEX Directive applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:ROS 2, Gazebo, NVIDIA Isaac Sim, Nav2 and CloudCompare, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:an autonomous robotic system for an underground mission, from platform and sensors to localisation, communications and test plan, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Mission and platform
Define the underground mission and select a suitable robotic platform.
Sensors and localisation
Design the sensor architecture and a GNSS-denied localisation system.
Planning and communications
Configure planning and control with Nav2 and design the underground communications network.
Test plan
Plan mobility and autonomy tests based on ASTM methods and evaluate the results.
Final project
Present the complete system report for final review with your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Mobile robotics engineerAutonomous systems engineerUnderground robotics specialistPerception engineerFunctional safety engineerWireless communications engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • An 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.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 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, Gazebo, NVIDIA Isaac Sim, Nav2 and CloudCompare, 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 final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme 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.

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