In the past, Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) consisted of a physical control panel through which users interacted with machines using buttons, switches, and indicator lights. With technological advancements, users have been able to monitor processes, view status information displays, and send commands. Today, HMI applications are ubiquitous, ranging from smartphone apps for controlling televisions and issuing voice commands in vehicles to patient monitoring in hospitals and touchscreen control panels in smart factories.
In our daily lives, we are constantly discovering more and more machine-related touchpoints. So, what does the future hold for HMIs? Beyond data collection, control, and display, the next generation of HMIs will move beyond traditional human-machine interfaces, providing human-machine interaction in various applications, enabling machines to operate intelligently and communicate with humans. For example, entering buildings through contactless interaction, object and gesture detection, and facial recognition.
Entering a new world of human-computer interaction will require interactive intelligent applications, and at the same time, the processors used to support HMI implementation will face a series of new challenges. Below, we will take a closer look at three considerations for the next generation of HMIs.
The first factor: Employing edge AI to enable new functions
Next-generation HMI designs will rely on edge artificial intelligence (AI) to enable new functionalities. For example, machine vision can enable controlled access to machines through facial recognition or contactless operation through gesture recognition. Furthermore, adding edge AI capabilities (such as machine vision) to HMI designs allows for more accurate analysis of current system status and predictive maintenance. When creating entirely new HMI applications, the workload of edge AI application development and the processor's capabilities must be considered.
The second factor: balancing performance and power consumption
High integration on a single chip can impact device power consumption, especially with edge AI capabilities fully enabled. Small designs typically require compact form factors, particularly in harsh environments, which complicates the power design of the final product. Designers must overcome the challenge of creating highly efficient designs while considering thermal constraints without increasing overall system cost. Low-power designs should include ultra-low power consumption and multiple low-power modes to extend product lifespan.
The third factor: integrated smart connectivity and differentiated display support
The increasing number of field devices and sensors, along with emerging real-time industrial communication protocols, presents challenges for new HMI applications. For example, HMIs in smart factory environments need to communicate with other devices and machines, meaning HMI designs must incorporate connectivity and control capabilities. Displays are not only another consideration in HMI design but also offer unique functionalities and methods to enhance human-machine interaction.
As HMIs continue to evolve, the processor technology supporting such applications must meet these evolving requirements. The first devices in TI's Sitara AM62 processor family, including the AM623, AM625, and AM625SIP processors, feature a low-power design with multiple industrial peripherals and add energy-efficient edge AI processing capabilities for dual-display and small-form-factor applications while taking into account next-generation HMI design considerations.
The AM625SIP is a system-in-package (SIP) version of the AM6254 processor, with the addition of an integrated 512MB LPDDR4 SDRAM. This device directly addresses the hardware, software, power consumption, and many other challenges engineers face when designing processors. SIP processors also offer additional advantages such as simplified hardware design, optimized size/system bill of materials costs, and reduced engineering effort required to place LPDDR4 on the chip.
Furthermore, the AM62P processor enhances the performance of HMI applications through its integrated quad-core Arm Cortex-A53, a more powerful graphics processing unit (GPU), and 32-bit LPDDR4. Increased memory bandwidth significantly reduces latency, resulting in smoother visual transitions, and enables superior multitasking capabilities on the processor, achieving the instant responsiveness crucial for HMI applications. Moreover, the AM62P's key features lie in its enhanced GPU and video codecs, capable of rendering complex 3D graphics, effects, and video streams with high fidelity.
The AM62X series processors include the AM623, AM625, AM625SIP, and AM62P, which facilitate edge AI capabilities through scalable single- to quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 platforms (up to 1.4GHz) and mainline Linux supporting TensorFlow. Furthermore, on-chip resources (including a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter, serial peripheral interface, and I2C) support a wide range of connectivity options for common industrial sensors or controllers, further simplifying design.
The optimized power supply design of the AM623 and AM625 supports multiple power modes with core power consumption as low as 7mW, enabling portable battery-powered designs. The AM62P also optimizes power supply design with its dedicated video hardware accelerator, improving power efficiency by reducing the CPU's video processing load. This simplified hardware design enables system solutions with a compact size and cost-effectiveness.
The AM623, AM625, and AM625SIP processors support a variety of display interfaces, including the cost-effective RGB888 interface and a low-voltage differential signal interface supporting 2K and Full HD displays. The AM62P also includes a DSI and supports up to three displays, further expanding the list of display interfaces. This multi-display capability enables design flexibility and innovation.
Conclusion
The HMI of the future will infuse human-machine interaction with more intelligence and innovation across various environments and applications: for example, medical professionals in operating rooms will interact with patient monitoring systems via voice rather than touchscreens, thus maintaining a sterile environment; or, in noisy factory environments, workers will operate control panels with just a gesture. Start designing your next-generation HMI with the AM62 processor family.
