HMIs Extend Beyond the Cab

Telematic functions are being integrated into multi-function user interfaces.

October 1, 2015

Terry Costlow

Engineers at FEV are helping OEMs combine telematics and HMIs.

Human-machine interfaces (HMIs) are evolving in multiple paths — they’re becoming a more important product differentiator while also expanding their control functions outside the vehicle. As connectivity moves deeper into the mainstream, HMIs are being redesigned to make it easier for operators to utilize the broad range of features and functions that come with telematics.

Fleet operators who have utilized connectivity to gain information for some time seek improved techniques for making some of this data available to operators, while those new to telematics want a wealth of basic functions. Tool providers note that off-highway and commercial vehicle developers are using communication technologies to make vehicles safer and more productive.

“Automotive HMIs focus on infotainment; in off-highway and commercial vehicles, safety and operations are more important,” said Manuela Papadopol, Marketing Director, Elektrobit, which makes HMI design tools. “HMIs with connectivity are now a key differentiator. Many of the instrument clusters are very graphical.”

HMIs in trucks and off-highway vehicles focus on safety and productivity. (Elektrobit)

Handling communications from outside the vehicle is a logical extension of HMI capabilities. It highlights the central role that user interfaces play in making vehicles more useful and productive. HMIs play an important role throughout the vehicle’s life cycle.

“The HMI is already the central communication hub in many off-highway vehicles today,” said Christiana Seethaler, Product Development Director at TTTech Computertechnik. “Alternatively, it is also useful as a development and debugging interface during application development.”

The tight link between HMIs and communication modules is following a common arc: once developers and users get comfortable with a few features, they start adding more functionality.

Many channels

Connectivity’s swift journey from a high-end offering to a mainstream option is now evolving to include a range of communications interfaces. It’s no longer uncommon for vehicles to have more than one outside link.

Parker Hannifin and others are helping operators reduce downtime by providing insight into potential faults.

“Wireless connectivity options like Wi-Fi and mobile telecommunication options like GSM are becoming more prevalent in HMI devices as enablers for telematics solutions like remote assistance/maintenance and fleet management,” Seethaler said.

While this data often flows from vehicles to operation centers, bidirectional links often let operators access the Internet or their management system. That makes it easy for them to get detailed information to enable educated decisions.

“Operators are no longer limited to radio weather reports,” said Stephan Tarnutzer, Vice President, Electronics, FEV North America. “Someone on a tractor can run an app when it’s raining to get information to help them decide whether to stop or continue planting seeds or spraying.”

Technicians at remote sites may soon be able to control some functions on vehicles, said Danfoss’ Fauld.

The role of connectivity will continue to expand as developers find more ways to utilize remote links. The continued growth of electronic controls and software means that more data can be accessed by letting communications modules transmit data gathered from a range of CAN buses.

“We expect to see increased use of software to feed data to telematics systems in off-highway equipment,” said Kirk Lola, Business Development Manager, Parker Hannifin Electronic Controls Division. “Telematics allows for the owner to track machine usage and productivity, but also allows the service manager to view faults and performance to help reduce machine downtime.”

Taking control

HMIs from TTTech provide many wireless connections.

Currently, remote technicians can look at data from the vehicle, but they can’t control the ECUs. That’s expected to change. Specialists in operation centers may be able to control some functions. That capability may be extended to personnel carrying tablets or even smartphones.

“Depending on the robustness of the telematics solution, they might even have the option to make adjustments to the machine remotely or run automated functions such as remote upgrades or geo-fencing,” said Kevin Faulds, Product Marketing Manager of Software Solution Services, Danfoss Power Solutions. “Bluetooth technology allows operators to connect a phone or tablet and get status reports or make adjustments to the system without actually needing to be near the machine.”

Links between connected HMIs and CAN buses aren’t the only new connections showing up in man-machine interfaces. Commercial technologies like USB and Ethernet are expected to move into the off-highway world.

“As the number of ECUs connected to the HMI increases, the required number of CAN interfaces also grows,” Seethaler said. “In addition, USB and Ethernet interfaces become more and more important. USB is typically used for software updates (not only to update the software of the HMI, but also to use the HMI as gateway for updating the ECUs connected to the HMI device). Ethernet can be used as high bandwidth interface to ECUs like our HY-TTC 580 HMI, which features an Ethernet interface, or to connect Ethernet cameras.”

Making it easier to update firmware in the field is a critical factor as software becomes more of a product differentiator. The ability to fix bugs or add new functions by simply reflashing memory in an ECU brings big benefits, so design teams are exploring many ways to simplify updating.

“OEMs are going more to Android and Linux-based systems that provide them with the ability to deliver upgrades,” said FEV’s Tarnutzer. “It’s not mainstream, but it’s being more widely supplied.”