Human Machine Interface (HMI) refers to the way in which
humans interact with machines, typically computer systems or electronic devices.
The interface can be visual, auditory, or tactile, and may involve input
methods such as keyboards, touchscreens, or voice commands. HMI is an important
area of study in computer science, as it can greatly affect the usability and
efficiency of electronic devices.
One of the key challenges in designing an effective HMI is
making it intuitive for users. The interface should be designed in such a way
that users can easily understand how to operate the device without having to
refer to a manual. This can involve using icons or other visual cues that are
easy to understand, or using natural language processing to allow users to
interact with the device in a more conversational way.
Another important consideration when designing an HMI is the
user's level of experience with technology. For example, a novice user may
require a simpler interface with fewer options, while a more experienced user
may want more control over the device. The designer must also take into account
any physical limitations that the user may have, such as visual impairments or
disabilities that affect their motor skills.
One area of HMI that has seen rapid development in recent
years is the use of voice assistants such as Amazon's Alexa or Apple's Siri.
These assistants allow users to interact with their devices in a more natural
way, using voice commands to perform tasks such as playing music or setting
reminders. This has opened up new possibilities for HMI design, as designers
can now focus on creating interfaces that are more conversational and
intuitive.
Human Machine Interface Market Dynamics
DRIVERS in Human
Machine Interface Market
The human machine interface (HMI) market is being driven by
several factors, including the surging adoption of industrial automation in the
manufacturing process. This adoption has resulted in several advantages such as
superior quality, uniformity, enhanced productivity, increased safety, improved
accuracy, and minimized operating costs. Thus, it has become an essential part
of the modern industrial sector, and the integration of advanced HMI solutions
with various industrial automation equipment has tremendously increased the
quality, productivity, and mobility of plant assets. As a result, the adoption
of industrial automation equipment such as HMIs, field devices, and smart
equipment has increased significantly among manufacturers from various
industries such as food & beverages, oil & gas, metal & mining,
automotive, semiconductor & electronics, and A&D.
The growing awareness about the benefits of technology, such
as safe messaging along with improved internal communications and alarm
warnings, is another driver for the market's growth. Moreover, the growing role
of human-machine interfaces in operations, security, and production is yet
another factor that will drive the market's growth.
The market's growth potential is also being widened by the
rising demand for and availability of high-resolution displays in developing
and developed economies. This trend is driven by the need to analyze the
industrial process efficiently, and the increasing technological advancements
in computer processors will offer greater opportunities. Furthermore, factors
such as rising urbanization, industrialization, and the growing number of
automobile users globally have contributed to the overall market expansion
during the forecast period. Additionally, the evolution of the industrial
internet of things (IIoT) and rising adoption of smart automation solutions are
anticipated to drive the market's growth rate.
RESTRAINTS in Human
Machine Interface Market
However, the high installation and maintenance costs of HMI
systems remain a significant restraint for the market's growth, particularly
across cost-sensitive markets such as APAC and South America. The installation
cost of an HMI system is high due to various stages involved, such as
consultation, acquisition, implementation, and running costs, which further
increases the expenditure of the installing company. The introduction of smart
manufacturing results in the adoption of advanced industrial automation
equipment, such as smart field devices and industrial robots. To communicate
with these types of equipment, HMIs need to be more advanced with the latest
functional technologies such as voice recognition, gesture recognition, and
multi-touch screen, which further increases the cost of the system.
Another restraint for the market is the lack of technical
expertise, especially in developed and developing economies. The dearth of
expert knowledge and technical expertise, coupled with a lack of skilled
professionals and awareness among management-level individuals, creates hurdles
for the market's smooth growth in the market value. The lack of skilled
professionals, combined with low experience quotient, will hamper the market
growth rate.
OPPORTUNITIES in
Human Machine Interface Market
Emerging technologies such as Industrial IoT (IIoT) and
cloud computing are creating opportunities for industries, particularly in
manufacturing. IIoT involves the use of a network of intelligent devices
connected via SCADA systems, which enables the establishment of fully digital
plants. With IIoT, manufacturers can make their industrial processes more
efficient, productive, and innovative by providing real-time information about
operational and business systems. This technology provides complete visibility
of assets, resources, processes, and products to plant managers, allowing for
increased productivity through connectivity, automation, and analytics.
The increasing deployment of advanced technologies, combined
with the growing adoption of industrial automation in the manufacturing sector,
and the rising need for this technology in the production sector for plant
administration will positively influence the market growth rate. Additionally,
the growing access to high-speed internet and improving internet infrastructure
in developing economies will widen the scope of growth and expansion globally.
The penetration of 4G and 5G internet services will further drive growth.
Furthermore, cloud computing has opened up new business
opportunities by providing a place to store the large amounts of data generated
by the use of IoT in manufacturing processes. Cloud computing eliminates the
need for purchasing, installing, and maintaining independent data centers and
networks, thus leveraging the power of the Internet. This innovation in the
cloud is revolutionizing the way enterprises operate, making it easier to
store, access, and manage data.
CHALLENGES in Human
Machine Interface Market
Cloud-HMI platforms are becoming increasingly popular as
they offer a cost-effective and convenient solution for quick deployment and
easy access. However, the rise of cloud computing has also brought with it
concerns regarding security. With many customers using the same service, the
risk of data vulnerability becomes a major issue. Sharing critical business
information with third-party service providers can lead to information leaks
and significant losses for companies. Additionally, there are growing concerns
over the increasing frequency of viruses and hacking.
Despite these challenges, the HMI market is expected to
continue expanding due to the many benefits it offers, including alarm
warnings, safe messaging, and improved internal communications. Newer HMI
technology is expected to reduce operational costs by replacing traditional
push buttons, indicator lights, and selectors, as well as reducing the need for
additional display panels and cables. This will further enhance the monitoring
of machines, leading to increased productivity and efficiency.
Moreover, the Internet of Things (IoT) is a dominating
trend, with industrial and consumer products being connected via the internet.
This growing trend of protocol conversion for data transmission amongst all
linked devices is expected to drive HMI market growth. In addition, there is a
rapid adoption of industrial automation in the manufacturing process, and a
rise in demand for smart industrial solutions. These trends are expected to
further fuel the growth of the HMI market.
The Human Machine Interface (HMI) software market is
expected to see significant growth during the forecast period due to its
ability to enhance the efficiency of the production process, offer flexibility,
and reliability. The HMI software is designed to meet the specific needs of
organizations, which ensures data storage regulations are met while reducing
security concerns. Additionally, organizations can make changes to the process
as and when needed.
The embedded HMI market is projected to witness the highest
growth during the forecast period. Embedded HMIs offer a simple and
user-friendly integrated environment, which enhances operator efficiency. The
growth of the embedded human machine interface market is expected to be fueled
by increasing demand for integrated solutions and technological innovations.
The automotive industry held the largest share of the human
machine interface market due to increasing demand for automobiles in developing
countries, technological advancements in the automotive industry, and growing
competition. The use of HMI solutions in the automotive sector assists in
production sequencing, production dispatching, production operations, support,
monitoring, and control. Furthermore, HMI ensures proper sequencing of products
according to specific requirements during production.
The HMI market was dominated by the oil and gas industry,
which has always had a strong need for safety and reliability. Throughout the
entire supply chain, from exploration to delivery, there is a significant demand
for automation, industry expertise, and a comprehensive partner network to
integrate information, control, power, and safety solutions. This is necessary
to meet the global demand for affordable energy supply, comply with stringent
government regulations, and reduce costs.
In terms of regional dominance, North America held the
largest share of the HMI market. This is due to the growing research and
development in the application areas of HMI, which is attributed to the
adoption of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and machine-to-machine
(M2M) communication by various industries in the region. There is an increasing
demand for HMI solutions across various sectors, such as industrial,
automotive, power, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare, to enhance
performance efficiency and decrease overall operational costs. These factors
are expected to fuel the growth of the HMI market in North America.
The human machine interface market is experiencing
significant growth, driven by the latest technological trends such as
bioacoustic sensing, surge in industrial automation, and augmented reality.
Bioacoustic sensing is a digital technology that records and analyzes sounds.
Incorporating bioacoustic sensing with human machine interface enables programming
of the HMI in accordance with the sound. This helps in immediate detection of
equipment breakdowns and faster response times. For example, Skinput is an
input technology that uses bioacoustic sensing to recognize finger taps on the
skin, and provides a user interface for direct manipulation.
The surge in industrial automation drives the growth of the
human machine interface market. Automated factories and control devices help to
reduce labor and production costs, thereby increasing production output. Furthermore,
there is an increasing demand for monitoring production plants in various
industries, including mining, automotive, and oil and gas, which drives
significant demand for human machine interface. However, the installation cost
of a human machine interface system can be high, which can restrain its growth.
Augmented reality is another technological trend that is
driving the growth of the human machine interface market. It enables viewing of
accurate details related to any context, providing on-site guidance on
operation, and on-spot solutions while troubleshooting. The combination of
augmented reality and HMI helps operators make quick decisions by immediately
connecting them to the control system without having to reach their
workstation. The increasing adoption of augmented reality is anticipated to
provide lucrative opportunities for the growth of the human machine interface
market.
The demand for HMI software is driven by the need to
efficiently monitor production plants in various industries such as mining,
automotive, and oil and gas. The rise in demand for smart technological
solutions across the manufacturing and processing industries is also expected
to spur the growth of the human machine interface market. The introduction of
IIOT and HTML5 is further expected to propel industry growth by providing
end-users with more convenience and flexibility. Additionally, the launch of
the latest version of software programs is projected to allow optimum running,
visualization, and analysis of equipment and machinery across industries.
Furthermore, there is a growing market for human-machine interfaces due to the
adoption of energy efficiency regulations, workplace safety, and an increase in
labor wages.
Despite the numerous advantages of HMI, there are still
various deficiencies that can result in accidental and psychological risks. The
use of inadequate HMI systems can lead to occupational accidents, and these
systems require skilled personnel to operate them properly. Machine operators
may suffer from cognitive overload when information provided by systems is
ambiguous or not readily understandable. In some cases, accidents occur due to
operational errors such as failure to act on other information provided by the
interface or inability to operate the machine correctly. All of these factors
are expected to restrain the growth of the global human machine interface market
during the forecast period.
Mobile HMIs are gaining popularity as connectivity becomes
increasingly indispensable in industrial automation. They allow workers who
need access to information about their machines while on the shop floor to
connect with data systems without needing to return to the control room or
office. Furthermore, mobile devices are being used as an interface for IIoT systems,
allowing machine parameters to be monitored and controlled wherever the device
is located. Additionally, modern HMIs allow manufacturing plants of all sizes
to achieve greater efficiency through faster performance, improved
connectivity, and more intuitive user interfaces that promote safety for
operators. The future of HMI is bright, with connectivity, mobile technology,
and automation revolutionizing all aspects of plant control.
Dominating Companies in Human Machine Interface Market
- ABB LTD.
- ADVANTECH CO., LTD.
- EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
- GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.
- HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
- ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
- SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SE
- SIEMENS AG
- YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
- BECKHOFF AUTOMATION
- BEIJER ELECTRONICS GROUP
- EATON
- EXOR INTERNATIONAL
- KONTRON AG
- OMRON CORPORATION
- RED LION
- ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
- TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORP.
- WEINTEK LABS., INC
Recent Developments in Human Machine Interface Market
In 2022, Synaptics, a leading provider of HMI solutions,
announced its acquisition of DisplayLink, a company that develops technology to
enable universal docking solutions for monitors and other devices. The
acquisition is expected to enhance Synaptics' HMI offerings by adding
DisplayLink's expertise in high-speed data transfer and video compression.
In 2021, HARMAN International, a subsidiary of Samsung
Electronics and a provider of HMI and connected technologies, announced a
partnership with Tencent, a leading provider of internet services in China. The
partnership aims to bring together HARMAN's automotive solutions with Tencent's
expertise in cloud computing and AI to enhance the driving experience and
enable new services for Chinese consumers.
In 2020, NVIDIA, a leading provider of graphics processing
units and AI solutions, announced its acquisition of SoftBank Group's ARM
Holdings, a company that designs and licenses semiconductor intellectual
property. The acquisition is expected to enhance NVIDIA's position in the AI
and HMI markets by adding ARM's expertise in processor design and
system-on-chip technology.
In 2019, Continental AG, a leading automotive technology
company, announced its acquisition of Kathrein Automotive, a company that
specializes in vehicle antennas and connectivity solutions. The acquisition is
expected to enhance Continental's HMI offerings by adding Kathrein's expertise
in antenna design and integration.
In 2018, Aptiv PLC, a leading provider of advanced safety
and mobility solutions, announced a partnership with Lyft, a leading
ride-hailing company. The partnership aims to bring together Aptiv's autonomous
driving technology with Lyft's ride-hailing platform to enable autonomous rides
for Lyft passengers in select markets.
In 2022, Honeywell, a provider of industrial automation and
control solutions, announced its acquisition of Intelligrated, a company that
develops automated material handling systems. The acquisition is expected to
enhance Honeywell's HMI offerings by adding Intelligrated's expertise in
automation and robotics.
In 2021, Siemens, a multinational technology company,
announced its acquisition of TimeSeries, a company that develops predictive
maintenance software for industrial equipment. The acquisition is expected to
enhance Siemens' HMI offerings by adding TimeSeries' expertise in machine
learning and AI.
In 2020, Intel, a provider of computer processors and other
technology products, announced its acquisition of Moovit, a company that
develops mobile transit apps. The acquisition is expected to enhance Intel's
HMI offerings by adding Moovit's expertise in mapping and navigation.
In 2019, Bosch, a leading provider of automotive technology,
announced its acquisition of Splitting Fares, a company that develops carpooling
apps. The acquisition is expected to enhance Bosch's HMI offerings by adding
Splitting Fares' expertise in ride-sharing and mobility services.
In 2018, ABB, a multinational technology company, announced
its partnership with Hewlett Packard Enterprise, a provider of enterprise
technology solutions. The partnership aims to bring together ABB's expertise in
industrial automation and control with HPE's expertise in data analytics and
edge computing to enable real-time decision making in industrial settings.
Overall, the field of human machine interface is an exciting
and rapidly evolving area of study, with the potential to greatly enhance the
usability and efficiency of electronic devices. As technology continues to
advance, we can expect to see even more innovative and intuitive interfaces
that make it easier for humans to interact with machines.