Earlier this month at the Automotive News World Congress in Detroit, Continental Corporation, an automotive supplier, unveiled their concepts for a “holistic human-machine interface (HMI)”. The idea is to better merge man and machine to create a unique driving experience.
Helmut Matschi, Member of the Executive Board of Continental said in a recent press release that, “in contrast to the static HMI of the past, the vehicles of the future have to offer a holistic HMI. The vehicle should always be ready to serve the driver. This is why the HMI has to flexibly adapt to the traffic situation and also to the driver’s momentary status.”
This shift from static to holistic HMI is one reason why the Global Automotive HMI Market is expected to post a CAGR of over 11 percent for the 2013-2018 period.
So what is HMI?
An HMI is used to interface between automation systems and humans by using HMI software or HMI panels. It helps operators interact with automation systems in the vehicles and understand the plant floor automation process.
HMI solutions are fast gaining popularity in the Automotive Industry. The growing demand for intelligent vehicles and demand for improved security and infotainment has led to the rising popularity of automotive HMI solutions.
While Continental Corporation focuses on automotive HMI solutions, many other industries are recognizing the potential of using an HMI system.
In fact, the Global HMI market consists of six major end-users that account for over half of the market, and are expected to fuel this market at a CAGR of almost 10 percent through to 2018.
Considering the different needs of each major market segment, is it possible for all of them to benefit from Continental Corporation’s holistic HMI approach?
Well, for starters, HMI vendors are continually developing their technology to survive in the competitive business environment in which they operate. They have started developing proactive HMI systems that act as diagnostic tools and help implement preventive measures in manufacturing plants. With the help of these proactive HMI systems, end-users can locate and control production-related problems.
In addition, several market trends have developed that could push the adoption of holistic HMI solutions versus traditional static HMIs:
- Increasing Demand for Web-based Systems
HMI vendors have started offering thin-client products that enable customers to view and/or control production processes through the internet or through browser-enabled devices without the need to install HMI software.
By using the internet, operators can control all plant floor automation components at any time and from anywhere. HMI systems also help manufacturing companies obtain real-time information and take real-time action if required.
- Development of Applications for Mobile Devices
HMI vendors have started developing HMI applications that support various mobile operating systems such as iOS, Symbian, Microsoft, and Android. Mobile HMI applications enable customers to control and/or view plant automation processes through smartphones.
- Emerging Demand for Remote Applications
HMI market vendors are offering better interface and communication capabilities through remote applications on HMI systems. These applications enable users to remotely access various plant automation systems through HMI systems. In such cases, the HMI system and automation components are connected through a remote application, thus helping increase efficiency and reduce the risk of accidents.
- Increased Adoption of Virtualization
End-users and original equipment manufacturers are increasingly adopting virtualization, which reduces the number of physical servers required for a site’s computing needs. This trend has driven many companies to enter into partnerships to develop and deploy software virtualization solutions.
All of these trends enable end-users to monitor their systems more efficiently by enabling remote access and increasing the amount of applications. As HMI technology advances, the possibilities for HMI solutions are potentially endless, which is great news for investors and for future market growth.
For more information, view our 2014-2018 reports on the Global HMI Market and the Global Automotive HMI Market.
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