Mobility
Selecting HMI remote access options
Two leading methods exist for establishing mobile human-machine interface (HMI) connectivity; one providing more cybersecurity. See table comparison of remote access HMI connections.
Material developed to improve insulation for mobile devices, computers
Stanford researchers have found that a few layers of atomically thin materials can provide the same insulation as a sheet of glass, which is 100 times thicker and will improve the compactness of cell phones and computers.
New mobile HMI designs respond to user, device requirements
HMI software should mix elements of web design and controls engineering to create effective operator interfaces for industrial displays and mobile devices of all sizes.
Using web browsers for HMI, SCADA applications
New capabilities in mobile-responsive design make human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) applications more valuable on the plant floor.
Using Wi-Fi sonar to measure indoor movement speed and distance
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a technique for measuring speed and distance in indoor environments called Wi-Fi-assisted inertial odometry (WIO), which could be used to improve navigation technologies for robots and drones.
A mobile HMI strategy can lead to digital transformation
Leveraging a mobile human-machine interface (HMI) strategy can help an organization’s digital transformation by improving operations and a company’s overall digital intelligence.
Evolution of modern manufacturing: more data
Automation future: The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 are widely known concepts, have not been widely adopted. On the way, physical device data connectivity can increase information flow to add efficiency, eliminate errors and increase uptime
Smartphone apps may connect to vulnerable cloud servers
Cybersecurity researchers at Georgia Tech and Ohio State have discovered vulnerabilities in the backend systems that feed content and advertising to smartphone applications through a network of cloud-based servers that most users probably don’t even know exists.
Machine learning used to determine warehouse ergonomics for worker safety
Researchers at the University of Washington used machine learning to develop a system that monitors factory and warehouse workers and tell them, in real time, how risky their behaviors are.
Control Engineering hot topics, July 2019
Control Engineering's most clicked articles in July 2019 included stories about PLC programming languages, connecting a PLC to the internet, digitalization advantages, choosing the right enclosure, and more. Miss something? You can catch up here.