Human machine interfaces (HMI) are become increasingly popular among commercial businesses, particularly those in the industrial market. While you can find HMIs in virtually all types of applications, ranging from automobiles and video games to household appliances and point-of-sale systems, they really shine in industrial applications. To learn more about HMIs and the benefits they offer for industrial applications, keep reading.
Improved Productivity
We’ve talked about this before on our blog, but it’s worth mentioning again that HMIs offer the benefit of improved productivity in industrial applications. Just because a human worker is capable of performing a task manually doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best idea. Opting to use an HMI to perform the task can improve productivity and efficiency, allowing the company to produce more work in less time. That alone should be reason enough for industrial business owners to invest in HMI technology.
Improved Worker Satisfaction
There’s just something naturally satisfying associated with the use of HMIs. Workers experience more joy and satisfaction when conducting a task that requires an HMI as opposed to conducting tasks that do no require HMIs. So, how is an HMI able to improve worker satisfaction? In a recent study, researchers discovered that online consumers experienced greater satisfaction when viewing websites on a touchscreen as opposed to a standard monitor. It’s believed that HMIs have a similar effect, creating a more direct interface through which workers can operate machines.
Internet of Things
What in the world is the Internet of Things and how does it relate to HMIs? The Internet of Things refers to a collection of devices which are all connected to the Internet (hence the name). Being that HMIs are essentially a “device,” they too can be connected to the Internet. This opens up the doors to a whole new world of possibilities in industrial settings, ranging from network monitoring to remote control access and more.
Data Recording
A lesser-known advantage to using HMI in industrial applications is its ability to record data. By entering commands into an HMI, the corresponding system to which it is connected can automatically record the data. This data may then be used later for other purposes, such as troubleshooting mechanical problems and/or adjusting settings.
