Autonomous functions are transforming off-highway machinery – placing greater demands on human-machine interfaces.
Autonomous and semi-autonomous functions are becoming increasingly important in the off-highway sector.
Manufacturers and operators expect automated systems to deliver greater efficiency, improved safety and a reduced workload for operators. At the same time, the role of humans in their interaction with machines is undergoing a fundamental shift. Whilst operators were previously primarily responsible for active control, their role is increasingly shifting towards monitoring processes, approval of functions and intervening in exceptional or hazardous situations. This places new demands on the design of human-machine interfaces (HMI).
“With increasing automation, the intuitive operability of safety-critical functions becomes even more important. Particularly in critical situations, intervention must be possible quickly and unambiguously,” says Stephan Hakuba, Expert Product Manager at EAO.
Safety functions such as EMERGENCY STOP and EMERGENCY OFF devices remain an essential part of the operating concept, even in automated applications. In addition to compliance with relevant standards, aspects such as haptic feedback, clear operability and reliability under demanding ambient conditions are becoming increasingly important.
Another factor in the acceptance of automated machines is the operators’ trust in the system. Experts regard clear status indicators, comprehensible feedback and consistent operating concepts as key prerequisites for safety.
Fully autonomous machines are still the exception in the off-highway sector. In many applications, semi-autonomous systems are currently in use, allowing operators to switch between automatic and manual modes. Ensuring these transitions are safe is considered one of the key challenges in developing appropriate operating concepts.
Added to this are the specific operating conditions in sectors such as construction, agricultural or specialised vehicles. Dust, vibrations, humidity and operation whilst wearing gloves require robust control elements and reliable feedback systems. Industry experts therefore believe that physical control elements will continue to play an important role in the future as a complement to digital user interfaces.
EAO will be demonstrating how these requirements can be implemented in current HMI Solutions at the iVT Expo on 10 and 11 June in Cologne. The company will be presenting solutions for human-machine interfaces in off-highway applications.