Master’s in Specific Verticals and ODDs Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in vertical-specific ODD engineering: 12 modules covering ODD specification and monitoring, the motorway, urban, logistics, off-highway and public transport verticals, safety, regulation and economics under ISO 34503 and UN ECE R157, with an assigned technical tutor.
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
Specify operational design domains in a measurable way.
Design ODD monitoring.
Analyse the requirements of each vertical.
Assess safety bounded to the ODD.
Identify the regulatory framework for each vertical.
Evaluate the economics of ODD expansion.
Develop an ODD project for a specific vertical.
Who it's for
- Autonomous driving product managers.
- ODD systems engineers.
- Autonomous mobility consultants.
- Safety engineers working on automated systems.
- Business analysts in mobility, logistics or mining.
- Regulatory specialists in automated vehicles.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter autonomous driving.
What you'll work with
- ISO 34503 (ODD taxonomy for automated driving systems)
- SAE J3016 (levels of driving automation)
- UN ECE R157 (Automated Lane Keeping Systems)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1426 (type approval of automated driving systems)
- ISO 21448 (SOTIF — safety of the intended functionality)
- ISO 17757 (autonomous machine system safety in earth-moving and mining)
- ISO 18497 (safety of highly automated agricultural machines)
- BSI PAS 1883 (ODD specification taxonomy)
- CARLA
- QGIS
- Python
- MATLAB
- Autoware
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1The concept of the operational design domain1.2ISO 34503 ODD taxonomy1.3Verticals: motorway, urban, logistics and off-highway1.4Relationship between the ODD and the business case1.5Restricting the ODD as a deployment strategy1.6Maturity by vertical1.7Regulatory requirements by vertical1.8Stakeholder map by segment1.9Commercialisation trends1.10Case study: comparing the ODDs of two services
2.1Scenery, environment and dynamic attributes2.2ODD specification languages2.3Specification in ASAM OpenODD2.4Granularity and measurability2.5ODD versus operating conditions2.6ODD version management2.7Dynamic ODD and progressive expansion2.8Communicating the ODD to the user2.9Common specification errors2.10Lab: ODD specification in a structured format
3.1Detecting ODD exit3.2Sensors and sources for monitoring the ODD3.3Maps and geofences3.4Weather conditions and visibility3.5Time-of-day and traffic restrictions3.6Transitions when leaving the ODD3.7Logging boundary events3.8Monitor validation3.9Data-driven expansion3.10Practical exercise: dynamic geofence with weather data
4.1Automated motorway pilot functions4.2R157 Regulation requirements up to 130 km/h4.3Long-haul autonomous trucks4.4Hub-to-hub transfer centres4.5Critical cut-in and braking scenarios4.6Handling high speeds and distances4.7Roadworks and lane configuration changes4.8Interaction with heavy traffic4.9Commercial cases in the US and Europe4.10Workshop: ODD of a hub-to-hub service
5.1Robotaxis in dense urban environments5.2Autonomous shuttles on fixed routes5.3Complexity of intersections and roundabouts5.4Interaction with vulnerable road users5.5Pick-up and stopping on public roads5.6Municipal regulation and permits5.7Integration with public transport5.8Data published by urban operators5.9Scaling the service across cities5.10Case study: ODD of a robotaxi in a Spanish city
6.1Autonomous last-mile delivery6.2Sidewalk delivery robots6.3Autonomous logistics in warehouses and yards6.4Autonomous tractors in logistics centres6.5Automation in ports and terminals6.6Ground-handling vehicles at airports6.7Interaction with operations staff6.8Machine safety in enclosed sites6.9Logistics business models6.10Lab: ODD of a yard tractor
7.1Autonomous haulage in mining7.2Autonomous agricultural machinery7.3Autonomous construction equipment7.4Operation in closed and controlled environments7.5ISO 17757 and ISO 18497 standards7.6Safety of people in the work zone7.7Managing mixed crewed fleets7.8Communications at remote sites7.9Success stories in open-pit mines7.10Practical exercise: safety analysis of an autonomous mine
8.1Autonomous buses in regular service8.2Lessons from driverless automated metros8.3Station connection shuttles8.4Integration with transport operators8.5Public service contracts and tenders8.6Accessibility of driverless vehicles8.7Remote supervision and teleoperation8.8European autonomous bus projects8.9Public funding for pilots8.10Workshop: ODD of a bus line
9.1ODD-specific risk analysis9.2Safety argumentation bounded to the ODD9.3Critical scenarios specific to each vertical9.4Validation strategies according to the ODD9.5Comparable safety metrics9.6Applicable sector safety standards9.7Safety monitoring in operation9.8Incident management by vertical9.9Transfer of learning between verticals9.10Case study: safety case bounded to an ODD
10.1Regulation of automated road vehicles10.2Machinery Directive and Regulation10.3Regulation of sidewalk delivery robots10.4Testing and commercial operation permits10.5Municipal mobility by-laws10.6Labour implications of automation10.7Civil liability by vertical10.8Insurance for autonomous operation10.9International regulatory differences10.10Practical exercise: regulatory map by vertical
11.1Unit economics by vertical11.2Cost of the autonomy kit and operation11.3Fleet utilisation and productivity11.4Marginal cost of expanding the ODD11.5Investment and funding sources11.6Barriers to entry by segment11.7Alliances between tech and industrial companies11.8Commercial scaling indicators11.9Adoption scenarios to 203511.10Workshop: economic model for ODD expansion
12.1Selection and justification of the vertical12.2Structured ODD specification12.3ODD monitoring design12.4Bounded safety analysis12.5Identification of regulatory requirements12.6Economic model of the service12.7Plan for progressive ODD expansion12.8Conclusions and 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. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is CARLA, QGIS, Python, MATLAB and Autoware, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for ODD specification in a structured format, risk analysis by vertical and economic expansion models. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 34503, SAE J3016, UN ECE R157, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1426 (ADS), ISO 21448, ISO 17757, ISO 18497, BSI PAS 1883.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's 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 CARLA, QGIS, Python, MATLAB and Autoware, 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 programme's 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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