Postgraduate DiplomaHealth, Biomechanics, Wearables & Operational Safety Applications open

Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Helmet and Sports Airbag Design

Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Helmet and Sports Airbag Design. 8 modules covering UN Regulation No. 22.06 (motorcycle helmets), EN 1078 (cycle helmets) and LS-DYNA. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Analyse the architecture and functions of each helmet layer.

02

Apply solutions to reduce rotational acceleration.

03

Select advanced energy-absorption materials.

04

Design and simulate helmets using finite element methods.

05

Design sports airbags and their inflation system.

06

Develop fall and impact detection algorithms.

07

Plan the certification and commercialisation of the product.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Helmet design engineer wishing to specialise in Advanced Helmet and Sports Airbag Design.
  • Sports protection engineer wishing to specialise in Advanced Helmet and Sports Airbag Design.
  • Energy-absorption materials engineer wishing to specialise in Advanced Helmet and Sports Airbag Design.
  • Impact simulation engineer wishing to specialise in Advanced Helmet and Sports Airbag Design.
  • Fall-detection systems developer wishing to specialise in Advanced Helmet and Sports Airbag Design.
  • PPE certification manager wishing to specialise in Advanced Helmet and Sports Airbag Design.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter sports equipment.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • UN Regulation No. 22.06 (Motorcycle Helmets)
  • EN 1078 (cyclist helmets)
  • EN 1621-4 (inflatable motorcyclists protectors)
  • Regulation (EU) 2016/425 (Personal Protection Equipment)
  • EN 1077 (ski helmets)
  • CPSC 16 CFR 1203 (Bike Helmets in USA)
  • ASTM F1952 (Bike Downhill Helmets)
Syllabus

8 modules · 800 h

  1. 1.1Shell, absorbent liner and comfort
  2. 1.2Polycarbonate, ABS and composite shells
  3. 1.3EPS, EPP and EPU foams
  4. 1.4Density and energy absorption
  5. 1.5Retention system and buckle
  6. 1.6Ventilation and its trade-off with protection
  7. 1.7Fit and sizing
  8. 1.8Weight and neck fatigue
  9. 1.9Helmets by sports discipline
  10. 1.10Workshop: dismantling and analysis of a commercial helmet
  1. 2.1MIPS-type slip technologies
  2. 2.2Cellular and honeycomb structures
  3. 2.3Liners with deformable elements
  4. 2.4Friction between head and helmet
  5. 2.5Oblique impact tests
  6. 2.6Influence of hair and beanies
  7. 2.7Rotational reduction metrics
  8. 2.8Patents and commercial status
  9. 2.9Available scientific evidence
  10. 2.10Practical: comparison of oblique impact data
  1. 3.1Graded-density foams
  2. 3.23D-printed lattice structures
  3. 3.3Viscoelastic, rate-sensitive materials
  4. 3.4Non-Newtonian fluids
  5. 3.5Carbon fibre and aramid composites
  6. 3.6Material characterisation tests
  7. 3.7Temperature effects on foams
  8. 3.8Ageing and service life
  9. 3.9Sustainability and recycling
  10. 3.10Laboratory: foam compression testing
  1. 4.13D head scanning
  2. 4.2Parametric helmet design
  3. 4.3FEM impact simulation
  4. 4.4Head and brain models
  5. 4.5Thickness optimisation
  6. 4.6Design for manufacture
  7. 4.7Rapid prototyping
  8. 4.8Iteration with testing
  9. 4.9Management of size variants
  10. 4.10Workshop: liner thickness optimisation
  1. 5.1Operating principle of wearable airbags
  2. 5.2Motorcycling and skiing airbags
  3. 5.3Airbag helmets for urban cycling
  4. 5.4Cold-gas inflation systems
  5. 5.5Deployment time and pressure
  6. 5.6EN 1621-4 standard
  7. 5.7Safety of gas generators
  8. 5.8Reuse and recharging
  9. 5.9Limitations and failure cases
  10. 5.10Case study: analysis of a motorcyclist airbag vest
  1. 6.1Inertial sensors in equipment
  2. 6.2Fall detection algorithms
  3. 6.3False positives and negatives
  4. 6.4Machine learning with fall data
  5. 6.5Latency requirements
  6. 6.6Fall databases
  7. 6.7Validation with manikins and volunteers
  8. 6.8Integration with emergency alerts
  9. 6.9Data privacy
  10. 6.10Laboratory: detection algorithm using IMU data
  1. 7.1EN 1078, EN 1077 and ASTM F1952 standards
  2. 7.2ECE 22.06 for motorcycles
  3. 7.3PPE Regulation 2016/425
  4. 7.4Notified bodies
  5. 7.5Technical documentation
  6. 7.6Independent testing and classifications
  7. 7.7Performance communication
  8. 7.8Product liability
  9. 7.9Market trends
  10. 7.10Practical: technical file for a cycling helmet
  1. 8.1Definition of sport and user
  2. 8.2Target injury analysis
  3. 8.3Design concept
  4. 8.4Material selection
  5. 8.5Impact simulation
  6. 8.6Prototype and testing
  7. 8.7Certification plan
  8. 8.8Results evaluation
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final 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 intake, 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 LS-DYNA, Abaqus, Altair HyperWorks, SolidWorks, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for helmet oblique impact tests, airbag deployment tests and fall logging with inertial sensors. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with rotor rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-focused final project:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry-led mentoring:faculty with a track record in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible delivery(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, with cyber-OT, DIH and compliance as core pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

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

Definition of sport and user

Analyse the architecture and functions of each helmet layer.

Target injury analysis

Apply solutions to reduce rotational acceleration.

Design concept

Select advanced energy-absorption materials.

Material selection

Design and simulate helmets using finite element methods.

Impact simulation

Design sports airbags and their inflation system.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Helmet design engineerSports protection engineerEnergy-absorption materials engineerImpact simulation engineerFall-detection systems developerPPE certification manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with full-time work.

The programme uses LS-DYNA, Abaqus, Altair HyperWorks, SolidWorks, MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is an in-house qualification, not an official title from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a Course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when enrolling.

Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Helmet and Sports Airbag DesignEnrol
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