Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

human machine interface

Rockwell launches new software for human machine interfaces

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Rockwell Automation has updated its HMI software to “equip industrial workers with better information to run and maintain their systems”, according to the company.

New features in the FactoryTalk View software version 10.0 include greater access to information, new mobile device support and better cross-software integration to improve productivity.

Operators can now use the TrendPro tool in FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) software to overlay alarm information on trend data.  [Read more…] about Rockwell launches new software for human machine interfaces

Comau releases Android app for managing its robots

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Comau has launched the latest version of a new app through which its industrial robots can be monitored and managed. 

The app runs on smartphones and tablets using the Android operating system, and is called PickApp (screenshot below).

Comau suggests smartphones and tablets could be a viable alternative to the traditional human-machine interfaces used in the industrial sector.  [Read more…] about Comau releases Android app for managing its robots

HMS demonstrates human-machine interface solutions on the Vuzix smart glasses platform

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HMS Industrial has demonstrated a range of human-machine interfaces on the Vuzix smart glasses platform.

Vuzix is a supplier of smart glasses and augmented reality technologies and products for the consumer and enterprise markets.

HMS is provider of industrial networking and remote management solutions.  [Read more…] about HMS demonstrates human-machine interface solutions on the Vuzix smart glasses platform

Enabling Industry 4.0: Baumüller at SPS IPC Drives 2017

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Industrial automation specialist Baumüller is presenting its exhibits for its main theme “Enabling Industry 4.0” at SPS IPC Drives in hall 1 at booth 560 from November 28 to 30, 2017.

The trade fair visitors will be able to see how Baumüller makes the smart digitization and networking of machines and systems possible for its customers with intelligent components and solutions, creating the connections and interfaces for Industry 4.0.

At the trade fair stand, Baumüller will show how Industry 4.0 generates added benefits through increased efficiency for the mechanical engineer in every phase of the value added chain.  [Read more…] about Enabling Industry 4.0: Baumüller at SPS IPC Drives 2017

‘Virtual dashboard’ sounds better than ‘human-machine interface’

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A human-machine interface is a computer screen through which a human can control a machine. It can be a screen on a tablet computer or a desktop computer, or even a wearable, like a smartwatch.

The majority of HMIs in the industrial sector take the form of tablet computers, though there are also many desktop HMIs, and an increasing number of developers are releasing wearable HMIs, although they are few in number at the moment.

The reason why mobile HMIs seem to be favoured is that they can be located near the machine, or the user can be near the machine when using the device, to either directly control it in realtime or programme it to perform whatever operations at a subsequent time.  [Read more…] about ‘Virtual dashboard’ sounds better than ‘human-machine interface’

Continental unveils new human machine interface for automated driving

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Continental, a developer of advanced driver assistance systems, has developed a new human-machine interface which places the control of a vehicle at the user’s fingertips, says the company.

The HMI – which is designed to be integrated into a vehicle dashboard (as pictured above) – provides a central input device for maneuver control in the center console as an element of the holistic human-machine dialogue, says the company.

Continental says the input element increases the mode awareness when moving from manual to automated driving mode.  [Read more…] about Continental unveils new human machine interface for automated driving

Renesas launches Linux platform for developing human machine interfaces

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Renesas Electronics, a provider of advanced semiconductor solutions, has launched the RZ/G microprocessor series, which the company says enables rapid development of high-performance Linux and Android applications.

Designed for industrial, home appliances, and office equipment employing a human machine interface, the RZ/G Series extends the capabilities of the RZ/A Series MPUs – which supports 2D graphics at up to WXGA resolution – to deliver high-end performance in applications such as image processing, video sensing, and 3-D graphics and multimedia at up to 1080p resolution.

One of the key features of the new RZ/G Series, says Renesas, is the high performance for enhanced UI expressiveness and video sensing.  [Read more…] about Renesas launches Linux platform for developing human machine interfaces

Yaskawa Motoman launches new software for robots and programmable logic controllers

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Yaskawa Motoman has launched new software for robots and programmable logic controllers – the computing appliances connected to industrial robots.

The MLX300 software option is the newest generation of integration for Yaskawa robots and PLCs.

The MLX300 enables operators to control and program Yaskawa robots in a standard PLC programming environment, eliminating the need to learn a specific robot programming language, says the company.  [Read more…] about Yaskawa Motoman launches new software for robots and programmable logic controllers

B&R launches new widget for dynamic human machine interface design

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B&R has launched a new widget that the company says makes dynamic human machine interface design easy.

The widget enables the creation of HMI animations with the mapp View’s “Paper” widget.

The new widget is offered with B&R’s web-based HMI solution.  [Read more…] about B&R launches new widget for dynamic human machine interface design

Mitsubishi releases new widescreen human machine interface

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Mitsubishi has released a new widescreen human machine interface.

The company says demand for operational efficiencies such as greater visualization into a factory’s automation solutions portfolio has prompted it to launch the new GT25 Wide HMI.

The GT25 Wide HMI is an interface that monitors and controls machine components with a graphical touchscreen that connects to equipment such as programmable logic controllers, variable frequency drives and servos. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi releases new widescreen human machine interface