Master’s in HRI, XR and Ergonomics Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in HRI, XR and ergonomics engineering. 12 modules covering human-robot interaction, collaborative safety, virtual and augmented reality, XR in robotics, physical and cognitive ergonomics, exoskeletons, human-centred design, ethics and regulation and experimental evaluation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Design safe and effective human-robot interactions.
Apply the safety requirements of collaborative robotics.
Develop virtual and augmented reality applications.
Assess the physical ergonomics of workstations.
Analyse cognitive workload and usability.
Evaluate industrial exoskeletons.
Design experimental studies with users.
Who it's for
- Human-robot interaction engineers.
- Industrial ergonomics specialists.
- XR application developers.
- Human factors engineers.
- Industrial user experience designers.
- Occupational health and safety technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 10218-2:2025 (safety of industrial robot applications and cells)
- ISO/TS 15066:2016 (collaborative robots)
- ISO 11228-1:2021 (manual handling: lifting, lowering and carrying)
- ISO 11226:2000 (evaluation of static working postures)
- ISO 9241-210:2019 (human-centred design for interactive systems)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (Artificial Intelligence Act)
- ISO 6385:2016 (ergonomics principles in the design of work systems)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation)
- Unity
- Unreal Engine
- ROS 2
- Siemens Jack
- Xsens MVN
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Evolution of human-robot collaboration1.2Industry 5.0 and the human-centric approach1.3XR technologies in the workplace1.4Human factors in automated systems1.5Physical and mental workload of the operator1.6Technology acceptance and trust1.7User diversity and accessibility1.8Ethical framework for automation1.9Industrial reference cases1.10Case study: diagnosis of a collaborative workstation
2.1Collaboration modes according to ISO 102182.2Verbal and non-verbal communication with robots2.3Gesture and voice interfaces2.4Operator intention prediction2.5Legible motion planning2.6Dynamic task allocation2.7Teleoperation and shared control2.8Social robots in the workplace2.9Evaluating interaction with users2.10Lab: gesture interface for a cobot
3.1Speed and separation monitoring3.2Power and force limiting3.3Biomechanical values in ISO/TS 150663.4Safety sensors for collaboration3.5Risk assessment of collaborative applications3.6Measuring contact forces and pressures3.7Validation of collaborative cells3.8Design of safe grippers and tools3.9Training cobot users3.10Practical exercise: contact pressure measurement
4.1Mixed reality taxonomy4.2HMD headsets and their characteristics4.3Head, hand and eye tracking4.4Spatial anchors and SLAM in XR4.5Unity and Unreal engines for industry4.6Natural interaction in 3D environments4.7Simulator sickness and its mitigation4.8Performance and latency in XR4.9The OpenXR standard and portability4.10Workshop: XR scene of a robotic cell
5.1Robot programming in augmented reality5.2Visualisation of paths and zones5.3Immersive robot teleoperation5.4Training in virtual environments5.5AR-assisted maintenance5.6VR review of cell designs5.7Digital twins in XR5.8Integration with ROS 25.9Evaluating the effectiveness of XR applications5.10Practical exercise: path programming in AR
6.1Occupational biomechanics6.2RULA, REBA and OWAS methods6.3NIOSH lifting equation6.4ISO 11228 on manual handling6.5Static postures according to ISO 112266.6Repetitive movements and OCRA6.7Work-related musculoskeletal disorders6.8Workstation design6.9Motion capture for ergonomics6.10Lab: REBA assessment with motion capture
7.1Mental workload and the NASA-TLX method7.2Operator situational awareness7.3User interface design7.4Usability according to ISO 92417.5Human error and its prevention7.6Fatigue and vigilance7.7Trust in automation7.8Physiological workload measures7.9User experience evaluation7.10Practical exercise: usability study with NASA-TLX
8.1Classification of industrial exoskeletons8.2Passive shoulder and back exoskeletons8.3Active motorised exoskeletons8.4Effectiveness assessment with electromyography8.5Risks and side effects8.6Selection and implementation8.7Regulations applicable to exoskeletons8.8Worker acceptance8.9Cases in automotive and logistics8.10Case study: shoulder exoskeleton pilot
9.1User-centred design methodologies9.2User research9.3Rapid interface prototyping9.4Participatory design with operators9.5User testing9.6Inclusion of older workers9.7Design for diversity9.8Iteration and improvement9.9Documenting human requirements9.10Workshop: HMI prototype for a collaborative cell
10.1The EU AI Act and high-risk systems10.2Protection of biometric data10.3Worker monitoring and the GDPR10.4Machinery Regulation and human factors10.5Liability in collaborative systems10.6Involvement of worker representatives10.7Impact on employment10.8Robot ethics10.9Impact assessment10.10Case study: impact assessment of an XR system
11.1Designing experiments with users11.2Performance variables and measures11.3Use of validated questionnaires11.4Eye tracking and physiological tracking11.5Statistical analysis of results11.6Ethics committees and consent11.7Field studies versus laboratory studies11.8Presenting results11.9Replicability of studies11.10Practical exercise: designing a user study
12.1Definition of the human-robot problem12.2Initial ergonomic analysis12.3Design of the interaction or XR application12.4Prototype implementation12.5Safety assessment12.6User study12.7Analysis of results12.8Conclusions and design recommendations12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Unity, Unreal Engine, ROS 2, Siemens Jack and Xsens MVN, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for ergonomic assessment with motion capture, augmented reality application development and user studies in collaborative cells. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 10218-2:2025, ISO/TS 15066:2016, ISO 11228-1:2021, ISO 11226:2000, ISO 9241-210:2019, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, ISO 6385:2016, Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
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 demonstrable 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 Unity, Unreal Engine, ROS 2, Siemens Jack and Xsens MVN, 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 university 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.
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