Postgraduate Diploma in External Signalling (eHMI) and Passenger Acceptance
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in External Signalling (eHMI) and Passenger Acceptance. 8 modules covering ISO/TR 23049:2018, SAE J3134 and Unity. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
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
Understand the external communication needs of the automated vehicle.
Design eHMI signals that are visible and comprehensible.
Interpret the applicable lighting and signalling regulations.
Assess signal comprehension among diverse users.
Apply experimental methods in virtual reality and Wizard of Oz studies.
Analyse the factors influencing passenger acceptance.
Integrate the eHMI into the specification and the safety case.
Who it's for
- eHMI designer looking to specialise in External Signalling (eHMI) and Passenger Acceptance.
- Human factors specialist looking to specialise in External Signalling (eHMI) and Passenger Acceptance.
- Technology acceptance researcher looking to specialise in External Signalling (eHMI) and Passenger Acceptance.
- Automotive lighting engineer looking to specialise in External Signalling (eHMI) and Passenger Acceptance.
- Passenger experience designer looking to specialise in External Signalling (eHMI) and Passenger Acceptance.
- Road safety analyst looking to specialise in External Signalling (eHMI) and Passenger Acceptance.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to join car manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- ISO/TR 23049:2018
- SAE J3134
- UNECE R48
- UNECE R138
- ISO/TS 5083:2025
- Reglamento (UE) 2022/1426
- ISO 9241-11:2018
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Informal communication between driver and pedestrian1.2Loss of eye contact without a driver1.3Implicit communication through vehicle dynamics1.4eHMI functions: status, intention and yielding1.5Target users: pedestrians, cyclists and drivers1.6Risks of over-trust in signals1.7Recommendations of ISO/TR 230491.8State of academic research1.9Industry positions and known prototypes1.10Case study: analysis of interactions at an unsignalised crossing
2.1Light bars and animation patterns2.2Road surface projections2.3Text displays and icons2.4Acoustic signals and electric vehicle sound2.5Colour choice: turquoise and its justification2.6ADS marker lamps according to SAE J31342.7Egocentric versus allocentric orientation2.8Scalability with multiple users2.9Daytime, night-time and rain visibility2.10Workshop: design of a light pattern for giving way
3.1UNECE R48 regulation on lighting installation3.2Restrictions on colour and flashing lights3.3AVAS acoustic vehicle alerting system under UNECE R1383.4UNECE GRE work on ADS signals3.5Regulation of road surface projections3.6United States regulations and FMVSS 1083.7Approval of experimental devices3.8Exemptions for testing3.9Pending international harmonisation3.10Practice: compliance analysis of an eHMI against R48
4.1Intuitiveness versus learnability4.2Cultural differences in interpretation4.3Older people and children4.4People with visual or cognitive impairments4.5Standardised versus proprietary signals4.6Road safety education campaigns4.7Effect of repeated exposure4.8Consistency between manufacturers4.9Risks of confusion with other signals4.10Laboratory: eHMI icon comprehension test
5.1Virtual reality experiments with pedestrians5.2Coupled pedestrian simulators5.3Wizard of Oz vehicle studies5.4Trials in controlled environments5.5Crossing decision measures and timing5.6Pedestrian eye tracking5.7Trust and acceptance questionnaires5.8Statistical analysis of experiments5.9Ecological validity of results5.10Practice: virtual reality crossing experiment with Unity
6.1Technology acceptance models: TAM and UTAUT6.2Acceptance factors for autonomous vehicles6.3Ride comfort and driving style6.4Passenger perception of safety6.5Intention information inside the vehicle6.6Motion sickness and its prevention6.7Willingness to pay and repeat use6.8Acceptance surveys in pilot deployments6.9Demographic differences in acceptance6.10Case study: acceptance survey of a pilot shuttle
7.1eHMI requirements in the vehicle specification7.2Integration with the decision stack7.3Synchronisation between signal and manoeuvre7.4Functional safety of signalling7.5Validation within the safety case7.6Industrial design and brand identity7.7Maintenance and diagnostics of devices7.8Software updates of patterns7.9Indicators in real-world operation7.10Workshop: technical specification of an eHMI for a robotaxi
8.1Definition of the vehicle and environment8.2Analysis of critical interactions8.3eHMI signal design8.4Regulatory analysis8.5Comprehension experiment8.6Passenger acceptance study8.7Analysis of results8.8Design recommendations8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100 % online 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 the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Unity, Unreal Engine, iMotions, Tobii Pro Lab, R, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Trials are studied through real procedures: virtual reality pedestrian crossing experiments, Wizard of Oz vehicle studies in controlled environments, and acceptance surveys in pilot deployments. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the external communication needs of the automated vehicle.
Design eHMI signals that are visible and comprehensible.
Interpret the applicable lighting and signalling regulations.
Assess signal comprehension among diverse users.
Apply experimental methods in virtual reality and Wizard of Oz studies.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme works with Unity, Unreal Engine, iMotions, Tobii Pro Lab, R. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry title.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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