Human Machine Interface / HMI – Smart Factory Glossary

A Human-Machine Interface, or HMI for short, is software or a device that people use to interact with a machine. In production, the HMI can be a machine control panel or a shop floor terminal acting as interface to a Manufacturing Execution System (MES). The shop floor terminal can be used to collect or enter data from production such as times or quantities and to display information from the MES. 

The human-machine interface must be designed to allow easy and user-friendly machine operation. For maximum usability, ergonomics of the hardware and good user guidance of the software need to be ensured. In the Manufacturing Execution System HYDRA X by MPDV, the user interface can be customized to show the exact information that the employees require for their work. Human-machine interfaces in manufacturing are central elements allowing to precisely control and monitor machines. However, the interfaces are used in further areas, too. From light switches and gamepads to touchscreens and voice systems: human-machine interfaces have become an integral part of our everyday lives.