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CourseDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Ethics of Automation in Military Vehicles Course

Online 300-hour course in ethics of automation in military vehicles. 6 modules covering ISO 26262 (functional safety in road vehicles), ISO 21448 (SOTIF) and CARLA. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe the levels of vehicle automation according to SAE J3016.

02

Apply ethical theories to automated decisions.

03

Analyse the legal framework and human control.

04

Evaluate safety and reliability in accordance with ISO 26262 and ISO 21448.

05

Study human factors and social acceptance.

06

Propose safeguards for responsible design.

07

Carry out an ethical assessment of an automated vehicle.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Autonomous vehicle engineer who wants to specialise in Ethics of Automation in Military Vehicles.
  • Functional safety engineer who wants to specialise in Ethics of Automation in Military Vehicles.
  • Technology ethics advisor who wants to specialise in Ethics of Automation in Military Vehicles.
  • Human factors researcher who wants to specialise in Ethics of Automation in Military Vehicles.
  • Defence policy analyst who wants to specialise in Ethics of Automation in Military Vehicles.
  • Validation engineer who wants to specialise in Ethics of Automation in Military Vehicles.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 26262 (functional safety in road vehicles)
  • ISO 21448 (SOTIF)
  • SAE J3016 (levels of automation)
  • UL 4600
  • US DoD Directive 3000.09 (2023)
  • Additional Protocol I (1977), Art. 36
  • NATO Principles for the Responsible Use of AI (2021)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Levels of automation in land vehicles
  2. 1.2Automated functions: mobility, logistics and protection
  3. 1.3Leader-follower convoys
  4. 1.4Driver assistance and active protection
  5. 1.5Unmanned ground vehicles for support
  6. 1.6Difference between automation and autonomy
  7. 1.7Experience with explosive ordnance disposal robots
  8. 1.8Trends in European programmes
  9. 1.9Actors: industry, armed forces and academia
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of an automated convoy programme
  1. 2.1Consequentialist and deontological ethics
  2. 2.2Virtue ethics and the military profession
  3. 2.3The just war tradition
  4. 2.4Engineering ethics and the designer's responsibility
  5. 2.5The value of human life and risk to the soldier
  6. 2.6Dilemmas of replacing the human being
  7. 2.7The responsibility gap
  8. 2.8Ethics of care and the human-machine relationship
  9. 2.9Value-sensitive design
  10. 2.10Workshop: analysis of a dilemma using several theories
  1. 3.1International humanitarian law and automated vehicles
  2. 3.2Review of new weapons under Article 36
  3. 3.3CCW debate on autonomous systems
  4. 3.4Meaningful human control
  5. 3.5Criminal and civil liability
  6. 3.6Traffic rules and military vehicles
  7. 3.7Manufacturer liability
  8. 3.8NATO principles for the responsible use of AI
  9. 3.9National AI strategies in defence
  10. 3.10Practice: legal review of an automated function
  1. 4.1Functional safety according to ISO 26262
  2. 4.2SOTIF according to ISO 21448
  3. 4.3Verification of perception software
  4. 4.4Edge cases and rare scenarios
  5. 4.5Cybersecurity according to ISO/SAE 21434
  6. 4.6Interaction with civilians and unstructured environments
  7. 4.7Failures and degraded modes
  8. 4.8Simulation and field testing
  9. 4.9Traceability of decisions and data logging
  10. 4.10Laboratory: risk analysis of a tracking function
  1. 5.1Trust and overtrust in automation
  2. 5.2Loss of operator skills
  3. 5.3Workload and supervision
  4. 5.4Training and doctrine
  5. 5.5Social acceptance of automated vehicles
  6. 5.6Impact on military employment
  7. 5.7Public communication and transparency
  8. 5.8Diversity of cultural perspectives
  9. 5.9Stakeholder participation
  10. 5.10Case study: human factors assessment of a convoy
  1. 6.1Selection of the automated system
  2. 6.2Description of functions and context of use
  3. 6.3Stakeholder and values map
  4. 6.4Applicable legal analysis
  5. 6.5Risk and reliability assessment
  6. 6.6Human control measures
  7. 6.7Design recommendations
  8. 6.8Ethical monitoring plan
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

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 enrolment period, 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 CARLA, MATLAB/Simulink, ROS 2, Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for simulating autonomous driving scenarios, functional safety analysis and an ethics assessment workshop. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.

Accredited laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-driven Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:faculty with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, with OT cyber, IHL and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

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

Selection of the automated system

Describe the levels of vehicle automation according to SAE J3016.

Description of functions and context of use

Apply ethical theories to automated decisions.

Stakeholder and values map

Analyse the legal framework and human control.

Applicable legal analysis

Evaluate safety and reliability in accordance with ISO 26262 and ISO 21448.

Risk and reliability assessment

Study human factors and social acceptance.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Autonomous vehicle engineerFunctional safety engineerTechnology ethics advisorHuman factors researcherDefence policy analystValidation engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No previous degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient level of Spanish 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.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.

You work with CARLA, MATLAB/Simulink, ROS 2, Python. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma 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 recognised towards the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

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