Introduction to Automated Transport Systems

The course comprises of:
• Introduction to automated vehicles and the transport system
• Basics of people needs to move and access
• Sensing, processing, and communication technology basics
• Tradeoffs and issues in hardware and software design
• Basic ethical and legal issues
• Emerging mobility and logistics business models.

Student feedback from academic year 2025-2026: “I thought the course was well structured, the themes were in a logical order and the topic was covered from an easily approachable angle. The video lectures in the course were also good and especially of a nice length.”

Learning outcomes – After completing the course student will be able to:

  • Describe the context and main features of automated transport systems
  • Explain the basics of users’ needs to move and access
  • Recall the technological basis of sensing, processing, and communicating in automated transport systems
  • Recognise tradeoffs and issues in the hardware and software design of automated vehicles
  • Define the basic ethical and legal issues of automated transport systems
  • Outline emerging mobility and logistics business models of automated transport systems.

Course level: Advanced, Doctoral

Credits: 5 ECTS

Language: English

Implemention: Continuous during academic year. The course is an online course that can be studied individually in one’s own pace.

Assessment methods:

  • Assignments
  • Learning diary
  • A final activity

Study methods:

  • Video lectures
  • Individual studying

Learning material includes video lecture recordings and research and policy papers.

Organising university: Aalto University (course code SPT-E6010)

Pre-requisites: No pre-requisites

Course enrollment:

  • Students at LUT University, Tampere University, University of Lapland, and University of Turku, please use direct cross-institutional registration through your university’s Sisu or Peppi system. You can find information on cross-institutional studies (ristiinopiskelu in Finnish) from your universities own website (e.g., Tampere University’s site).
  • Students at Aalto University register directly through Aalto’s Sisu system.
  • Students in other ENACT universities (i.e., Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and University of Vaasa), please use this online form: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/7E7B67D89B373363.