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The automotive sector is changing rapidly. Car manufacturers and technology companies are developing new autonomous technologies that will redefine the future of ground transport. With the rapid adoption of smart vehicle functions, industry requires a unique set of skills from its engineers and programmers.

The MSc in Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Engineering (Automotive) will develop a broad range of technical and transferable skills that are important for the development of autonomous and connected ground vehicles, with the aim to prepare you for a career within the automotive sector.

In addition of covering the fundamental technologies, i.e. electronic systems and algorithms, that enable the automation of ground vehicles, the course provides valuable insights on industry standards and automotive best practices, on relevant regulation and ethical considerations that will impact the design and the usage of connected and autonomous vehicles. The course will also explore the benefits of these new technologies in the management of traffic and the transportation of goods, ensuring that the proposed engineering solution are supported by sustainable business models.

Overview

  • Start dateOctober
  • DurationOne year full-time
  • DeliveryTaught component (50%), Group project (10%), Individual research project (40%)
  • QualificationMSc
  • Study typeFull-time
  • CampusCranfield campus

Who is it for?

This course is suitable for engineering, science, mathematics and computing graduates alongside experienced engineers who are interested in a career in the automotive or intelligent mobility sectors. The course is intended to equip its graduates with skills that will be of immediate use but will also develop them for senior technical and business leadership roles in future. With the growing demand for highly skilled professionals both within automotive manufacturers and the high technology supply chain, successfully completing this course will provide a distinctive skill set that graduates will find useful in securing employment globally.

Why this course?

Cranfield has a long and excellent track record in graduate courses for the automotive industry, a strong track record in research, and strong links and collaborations with automotive OEM and Tier 1 companies and their supply chains. As a student, you will benefit from an exceptionally high level of engagement with industry, and as a graduate you will be highly valued by employers.

As a postgraduate-only university, we are well suited to support your studies as a Masters' student and provide excellent facilities to support your learning. The campus is located near Milton Keynes, an emerging centre of excellence for connected and autonomous vehicles, and is placed centrally in the Oxford-Cambridge ‘arc’, noted for its enterprise in technology. This provides you with a unique, technologically innovative environment.

Cranfield has recently opened a new Intelligent Mobility Engineering Centre (IMEC) and the Multi-User Environment for Autonomous Vehicle Innovation (MUEAVI), a test ground for connected and autonomous vehicle engineering, both of which are used to support teaching across the automotive subject spectrum.

Discover the unique facilities available to you as a student on this course.


Informed by Industry

The MSc in Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Engineering is directed by an Industrial Advisory Panel comprising senior engineers from the automotive sector. This maintains course relevance and ensures that graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge required by leading employers. You will have the opportunity to meet this panel and present your individual research project to them at an annual event held in July. Panel members include representatives from:

Rod J Calvert (Chair) Automotive Management Consultant
Julie Stears Chief Engineer, Engineering Quality at Jaguar Land Rover
Keith Benjamin Global Legal Director at Jaguar Land Rover
Steve Swift Vehicle Engineering Director at Polestar
William Hylton Head of Electrical and Electronics at Polestar
Sally Leathers Director of Software and EE Architecture at McLaren Automotive
Paul McCarthy Chief Engineer at JCB Power Systems
Stefan Strahnz Chief Engineer at Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Formula One
Charlie Wartnaby Chief Engineer at Applus IDIADA
Peter Stoker Chief Engineer, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, at UTAC Millbrook
Steve Miles Director of Engineering at TECNIQ
Doug Cross Managing Director at Balance Batteries
David Hudson Head of EV Strategy at ePropelled
Steve Henson Business Development Director at Barclays UK

Course details

The course will include ten taught compulsory modules, which are generally delivered from October to March.

Course delivery

Taught component (50%), Group project (10%), Individual research project (40%)

Group project

The course will contain a challenging group design project with a multidisciplinary engineering focus and an in-depth individual design project. Where possible, connected and autonomous vehicles from research projects will be used to support learning.

Individual project

After having gained an excellent understanding of methods and applications, you will work full-time (May to September) on an individual research project. This research project will allow you to delve deeper into an area of specific interest, taking the theory from the taught modules and joining it with practical experience. A list of suggested topics is provided, and includes projects proposed by staff and industry sponsors, associated with current research projects.  

It is clear that the modern design engineer cannot be divorced from the commercial world. In order to provide practice in this matter, a poster presentation and written report will be required from all students, and the research findings presented to the academic staff as well as the Industrial Advisory Panel members.

Modules

Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.

To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.


Course modules

Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.

Vehicle Design Propulsion, and Performance

Aim
    • Provide deep understanding of vehicle propulsion options and driveline.
    • Establish approaches and procedures to analysing and predicting vehicle performance.
    • Provide a framework for the appreciation of the interdependency of vehicle systems.
    • Critically evaluate the integration of different alternative powertrain options and be able to select appropriate solutions within legislation framework.
    • Evaluate vehicle emissions and control systems to identify appropriate solutions.
Syllabus

    Basic vehicle characteristics: Vehicle concepts, centre of gravity position, static and dynamic loads and weight distributions, front, rear and all wheel drive. Adhesion coefficient and influencing factors. Traction, braking and resistance to motion.

    Fuel consumption: Engine characteristics & fuel maps. Determination of fuel consumption. Energy aspects. Legislative Drive Cycles.

    Off-Road: Introduction to off road vehicle design characteristics.

    Autonomy: Review of the current technologies surrounding Vehicle Autonomous Driving.

    Braking performance: Influence of resistances and inertia. Brake force distribution. ECE 13 legislation. Calculation of required braking characteristics. Stopping distance.

    Safety: Principles of passenger restraints, elastic/plastic restraints, energy dissipation, rebound energy (whiplash). Vehicle restraint systems and safety features. Hybrid and electric vehicle safety considerations.

    Legislation: Introduction to regulations, European directories, USA federal motor vehicle safety standards. Understanding the influence of relevant legislation on vehicle systems design.

    Driveline components: Driveline components: Friction clutches, Final drives, Differentials including e-Diff

    Manual & automatic transmissions: Description of gearbox layout and gear change mechanisms.

    Hybrid and electric vehicles: Basic definitions, HEV and EV architectures, advantages and disadvantages. Electrical and mechanical energy storage technologies including battery management considerations.

    Brakes and braking systems:Disc and drum brakes, braking systems – design, dimensioning and evaluation. Materials, manufacturing methods and testing.

    Vehicle refinement: Basic details of noise vibration and harshness and attributes for Driveline refinement.

Intended learning outcomes On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
1. Interpret and apply legislative requirements in generating vehicle concepts and designs.
2. Predict resistances to motion, determine powertrain system characteristics, calculate vehicle performance (max. speed, acceleration, gradient, fuel economy etc).
3. Understand vehicle concepts for propulsion driveline systems and components; optimise vehicle performance characteristics for the selected criteria / benchmarks.
4. Understand rotating component tribology in the context of vehicle efficiency.
5. Assess and critically evaluate vehicle systems and interdependency including vehicle design and ride quality.

Path Planning, Autonomy and Decision Making

Aim
    In modern autonomous systems, it is essential to design path planning and decision making algorithms. Also, path planning algorithms require the knowledge of the systems’ current state from appropriate navigation systems. Therefore, this module aims to deliver not only fundamental and critical understanding of classical and advanced path planning, navigation and decision making theories, but also evaluation of their nature, purposes, pros and cons, and characteristics. This should enable you to critically select and design appropriate path planning, navigation, and decision making algorithms for their specific autonomous systems. 
Syllabus
    • Principles of path planning, navigation and decision making for autonomous vehicles; 
    • Decision making approaches, including:
      • Approximation approach;
      • Sequential greedy algorithm; 
    • Path planning approaches such as: 
      • Graph-based approach; 
      • Point guidance approach;
      • Path planning and following approach; 
    • Navigation systems such as:
      • Vision-based navigation system;
      • Inertial navigation system; 
      • Satellite navigation system; 
      • Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM); 
    • The key performance indices for verification and validation of path planning, navigation and decision making; 
    • Application examples of path planning, navigation and decision making algorithms. 

    You will be to complete approximately 20 hours of pre-work before the start of the teaching week. This can include pre-reading, using the "essential reading" list as a guide. You should also use this time to familiarise yourself with any software tools you feel you will need and to complete any tasks explicitly communicated by the module team.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to: 

  1.  Appraise the key principles of navigation and decision making algorithms, and examine their properties; 
  2. Analyse the characteristics, purposes, and design procedures of path planning, navigation and decision making algorithms,judge advantages and limitations;
  3. Evaluate challenging problems in path planning, navigation and decision making approaches for autonomous systems, assess current and propose alternative solutions; 
  4. Judge the appropriateness of particular path planning, navigation and decision making algorithms given a specific problem 
  5. Verify and validate the performance of path planning, navigation and decision making algorithms. 

Sensors, Perception and Visualisation

Aim
    The aim of this module is to provide an overview of sensors and sensor technology, various architectures, algorithms and applications in the context of autonomous vehicles perception and visualisation. The module aims also to give you an understanding of the appropriate tools for error analysis and diagnostic statistics enabling you to critically evaluate the performance of a sensing technology in autonomous vehicles. 
Syllabus
    • Introduction to sensors, perception and visualisation for autonomous vehicles
    • Autonomous vehicle sensors and imaging
    • Sensor integration architectures and multiple sensor fusion
    • Demo: indoor autonomous surveillance
    • AI algorithms for sensing and imaging: supervised learning―neural networks
    • AI algorithms for sensing and imaging: supervised learning―lab 
    • AI algorithms for sensing and imaging: unsupervised learning―clustering
    • Case study: multiple sensor fusion

    You will be to complete approximately 20 hours of pre-work before the start of the teaching week. This can include pre-reading, using the "essential reading" list as a guide. You should also use this time to familiarise yourself with any software tools you feel you will need and to complete any tasks explicitly communicated by the module team.

     

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

  1. Analyse the main practical applications of autonomous vehicle sensing and imaging, assess their advantages and limitations;
  2. Evaluate the main engineering challenges of autonomous vehicle sensor technology;
  3. Appraise qualitatively the functions and capabilities of the main sensor technologies used in autonomous vehicles, assessing current and further developments;
  4. Judge the performance of multi-sensor fusion architectures in a real-case scenario.
 

Systems Engineering

Aim
    This module aims to enable you to apply the principles of systems engineering to system problems.
Syllabus

    Topics covered by the course include:

    • Systems challenges
    • The systems process
    • Understanding systems
      • Capability need and requirements
      • System design and architecture
      • System evaluation, verification and validation
    • The impact of organisation on systems engineering
    • People, skills and competencies in systems engineering  

    You will be to complete approximately 20 hours of pre-work before the start of the teaching week. This can include pre-reading, using the "essential reading" list as a guide. You should also use this time to familiarise yourself with any software tools you feel you will need and to complete any tasks explicitly communicated by the module team.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

  1. Illustrate common deficiencies in system design using case studies;
  2. Formulate approaches to system design based upon capability, behavioural principles and architectural considerations;
  3. Collect comprehensive system requirements from stakeholders formulate their flow-down into the systems design;
  4. Design verification strategies for proving the systems design;
  5. Organise projects to achieve a successful systems design.
 

Embedded Vehicle Control Systems

Aim

    Within the context of modern automotive control system, the aim of this module is for you to critically evaluate the different technologies and methods required for the efficient vehicle implementation, validation and verification of the automotive mechatronic system.

Syllabus

    Course content includes:

    • A review of modern automotive control hardware requirements and architectures.
    • The evaluation of current and future vehicle networking technologies including, CAN, LIN, MOST and Flex-ray.
    • The evaluation of control rapid prototyping techniques to design and calibrate the control algorithm.
    • The use of modern validation and verification methods, such as software-in-the-loop, and hardware-in-the-loop techniques.
    • The role of Functional Safety and ISO26262 within the overall control system life-cycle.
    • The evaluation of the interdependency between software engineering and control system design within the automotive industry including the use of software auto-coding techniques for production and the use of advanced test methods for the validation of safety-critical systems.


Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
1. Analyse the components of an automotive control systems and its implementation.

2. Design and implement a digital controller.

3. Evaluate the effect of sampling times, communication delays and quantization errors in a feedback loop.

4. Construct efficient Matlab code for data coding/decoding and control algorithm implementation.

5.  Appraise the purpose of the ISO26262 functional safety standard and the AUTOSAR standardized automotive software design.

Transport System Optimisation

Module Leader
  • Dr Abbas Fotouhi
Aim
    The aim of this module is for you to expand your knowledge in the field of transportation systems with a focus on road vehicles and traffic flow theory. In addition, this module includes general topics about optimisation techniques and their applications in transportation systems.

Syllabus
    • Introduction to Transport Systems and Optimisation Theory
    • Advanced Optimisation Techniques 
    • Traffic Modelling & Simulation 
    • Electrified Transport Systems 
    • Transport Services & FMS Optimisation 
    • Impacts of CAVs on Traffic Flow 
    • Optimisation problems in Supply Chain Analytics  
    • Optimal Energy Management System based on Driving Pattern Recognition 
    • Driving Cycles 
    • Case-studies of applying optimisation techniques in transportation systems 

    You will be to complete approximately 20 hours of pre-work before the start of the teaching week. This can include pre-reading, using the "essential reading" list as a guide. You should also use this time to familiarise yourself with any software tools you feel you will need and to complete any tasks explicitly communicated by the module team.

     

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

  1. Understand the fundamental concepts of different transport systems such as supply chain management systems, fleet management systems, electrified transport systems, and other transport services; 
  2. Critically evaluate models of vehicle interactions and the movement of groups of vehicles;
  3. Analyse traffic flow performance characteristics and measures based on traffic operational analysis techniques; 
  4. Practice different applications of optimisation techniques; 
  5. Formulate most appropriate optimisation techniques in transport systems.  

Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction and ADAS Systems

Aim

    To provide you with an understanding of human factors in human-computer interaction and ADAS systems.

Syllabus
    • Introduction to Human Factors 
    • Human Performance: Perception and Attention  
    • Situation Awareness and Error  
    • Human Reliability: Driver Workload and Fatigue  
    • Emotion and Motivation in Design 
    • Human-Computer Interaction and the User Experience
    • Application of Human Factors in Autonomous Vehicles Research  
    • Transition Control from Manual to Autonomous: Human Capabilities and Attentional Factors  
    • Behavioural Adaptation and Unintended Consequences 
    • Trust in Autonomous Vehicles and Assistive Technology 
    • Designing ADAS Systems with the Human in Mind  
    • The Systems Approach to Improving Safety 
    • Driverless Vehicles and Ethical Dilemmas: Human Factors and Decision Making Software  

    You will be to complete approximately 20 hours of pre-work before the start of the teaching week. This can include pre-reading, using the "essential reading" list as a guide. You should also use this time to familiarise yourself with any software tools you feel you will need and to complete any tasks explicitly communicated by the module team.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

  1. Analyse and evaluate human limitations in perceptual and attentional capabilities in the driving context. 
  2. Appraise the potential effects of ADAS technologies on human performance and error. 
  3. Assess psychological responses to assistance technologies and automated vehicles, estimate their potential benefits and limitations. 
  4. Rate human performance measurement methodologies in terms of their utility in the prediction and reduction of driving error. 
  5. Create and appraise a demonstration of the use of human factors research to maximise user experience within the context of an automated vehicle.  

Networked Systems and Cybersecurity

Aim
    The aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of the operation and vulnerabilities of communications and network systems within future connected vehicles, covering both on-board internal and inter-vehicle communication networks. 
Syllabus
    • History  of cyber against connected vehicles, e.g. examples of hacks (e.g. Jeep Cherokee)
    • Network principles, e.g. protocols, addressing, reliable communications (including time sensitive/critical i.e. databus principles, error detection/correction), routing, physical layer (e.g. rf range)
    • Vehicle databuses and information architectures, e.g CANBus
    • Security engineering, e.g. CIA, encryption, vulnerabilities, exploits, patching, reverse engineering
    • Principles of vehicle systems/security
      • Typical systems and how they are connected
    • Typical vulnerabilities in connected vehicle systems, e.g. attack surfaces, tools and techniques, example vulnerabilities and exploits (same examples as the start but in greater depth, plus any current at time of module delivery)
    • Demonstration - Hacking the Keeloq
    • Discussion - “Just another computer?” (how IT cybersecurity practices may be applied to vehicle cybersecurity)
    • Solutions, advances and future technologies
      • e.g. MilCAN, automotive Ethernet.

    You will be to complete approximately 20 hours of pre-work before the start of the teaching week. This can include pre-reading, using the "essential reading" list as a guide. You should also use this time to familiarise yourself with any software tools you feel you will need and to complete any tasks explicitly communicated by the module team.

     

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

  1. Analyse and evaluate the network components of vehicle system architectures and the methods used to secure them.
  2. Appraise and rate cyber vulnerabilities and how these impact on the security and/or safety of connected vehicles.
  3. Analyse the networks of a notional connected vehicle, rate potential attacks and judge most appropriate mitigations.

Ethics, Safety and Regulation

Aim
    To provide experienced engineers working on connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV) with an understanding of safe working practices, and of governance and regulatory issues, and appreciation of the ethical dilemmas surrounding CAV to allow them to take up leadership roles in the industry. 
Syllabus
    • Review of different forms of ethics. 
    • Assessment of ethical dilemmas and development of ethical reasoning skills. 
    • Characterising the multi-level challenges (individual, organisational and societal) associated with assuring the safety of CAV. 
    • International and national regulatory frameworks that underpin CAV and their safe operation. 
    • Structure and processes of effective governance.
    • Design of safe operating systems and the human-technical interface. 

    You will be to complete approximately 20 hours of pre-work before the start of the teaching week. This can include pre-reading, using the "essential reading" list as a guide. You should also use this time to familiarise yourself with any software tools you feel you will need and to complete any tasks explicitly communicated by the module team.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

  1. Analyse and critically evaluate the safety challenges associated with CAV
  2. Evaluate and rate the ethical implications of alternative automotive technologies
  3. Appraise the requirements of regulatory frameworks relevant to CAV, assess the trends and future developments 
  4. Formulate appropriate response to regulatory requirements
  5. Construct governance arrangements that ensure the safety of CAV.

Technology Strategy and Business Models

Aim
    The aim of this module is to provide you with a broad-based view of technology strategy and the role of business models in supporting the introduction and development of new technologies.
Syllabus
    • Research has shown that managers struggle with developing a clear technology strategy and lack the tools, techniques and understanding to achieve this. 
    • The nature of technology and how best to manage it is often unclear.
    • The challenge for managers is a broad one; they need to build an organisational culture that embraces new ideas, they must understand the potential opportunities of new technologies, they should select the most appropriate concepts for implementation successfully to the market.
    • The syllabus will cover:
    1. Introduction: content, style of teaching and learning; expectations of students and faculty; project teams; course assessment; reading; etc; 
    2. Understanding technology strategy. What is technology strategy and what role does it play in an organisation? The "dimensions" of technology strategy. The degrees of innovation in technology strategy: radical, disruptive, and incremental. How can innovation be managed? 
    3. Business models and how to create them; the role of business models in technology strategy. 
    4. Customer-focused approaches to technology strategy. Developing original approaches to solve the customer’s problems;
    5. Technology strategy based on innovation and imitation, who wins?
    6. A design approach to technology strategy.
    7. People and organisation: building the right culture to deliver a technology strategy; the importance of the learning organisation.

    You will be to complete approximately 20 hours of pre-work before the start of the teaching week. This can include pre-reading, using the "essential reading" list as a guide. You should also use this time to familiarise yourself with any software tools you feel you will need and to complete any tasks explicitly communicated by the module team.
     

     

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

  1. Analyse and critically evaluate the key ideas that underpin technology strategy and business models.
  2. Appraise, rate and evaluate the use and range of technology strategies within a particular technological context.
  3. Assess the extent to which a technology strategy is effectively supported by an organisation’s structure, processes and culture.
  4. Critically analyse the use and development of different business model frameworks.
  5. Appraise the use and development of specific business models used in technology strategy, judge the advantages and limitations.
 

Your career

Our students can aspire to secure roles, for example, in R&D, within ADAS development teams of automotive manufacturers, consultancies, CAV start-ups, or Tier 1 suppliers. The broader knowledge of the CAV ecosystem will enable you to move into management roles.

Roles that our students have gone into include:

Research Engineer at an automotive OEM
Sensor Integration Engineer, ADAS, at an automotive OEM
Computer Vision Research Engineer, at an automotive Tier 1 supplier
Application Engineer, Radar, at an automotive Tier 1 supplier
Software Engineer, ADAS and Cybersecurity, at an automotive consultancy
Research Specialist, CAV, at an automotive consultancy


Companies that employ our students include:

Jaguar Land Rover
Valeo
Continental Engineering Services
HORIBA MIRA
SBD Automotive
FICOSA
Navtech Radar


Cranfield’s Career Service
is dedicated to helping you meet your career aspirations. You will have access to career coaching and advice, CV development, interview practice, access to hundreds of available jobs via our Symplicity platform and opportunities to meet recruiting employers at our careers fairs. Our strong reputation and links with potential employers provide you with outstanding opportunities to secure interesting jobs and develop successful careers. Support continues after graduation and as a Cranfield alumnus, you have free life-long access to a range of career resources to help you continue your education and enhance your career.

How to apply

Click on the ‘Apply now’ button below to start your online application.

See our Application guide for information on our application process and entry requirements.

The CAVE MSc course at Cranfield University has key modules focusing on developing autonomous driving. The different challenges imposed by the university have been a unique learning experience. With the help of careers and employability services and the great links with industry that Cranfield has, I landed a graduate role at Jaguar Land Rover, which was my aspiration after finishing the course. Overall, Cranfield has been an excellent experience, but the staff and the students make a difference, making the time studying here more gratifying.

I decided to pursue the CAVE MSc programme due to its comprehensive coverage of a wide range of topics and the time provided to explore the various aspects in detail through assignments. Unlike other programmes that focus solely on theory, the modules in this programme are geared towards practical industry applications, which I found to be highly relevant and engaging. In particular, the group design project gave us the chance to work on a real-world project related to the automotive industry, where we collected data using our software and tested it both on simulation and in the field.

Through the career and employability services offered by the programme, I was able to secure an internship position that aligned with my career aspirations of working as a software developer in the CAVE domain. As the head of Communications at Cranfield Autonomous Society, I was also able to network and connect with like-minded individuals who shared my passion for this field.

Overall, my experience at Cranfield has been truly exceptional, thanks to the knowledgeable instructors, industry-relevant coursework, and the opportunity to meet amazing individuals who have contributed to my personal and professional growth.