(Honda mower parts) Consumers Demand Control Through Human Machine Interface Technology
No commentsBy Mike Trudel
”Human-Inter-what?” clipped Simon, peeking over his morning paper with a loud crinkle. A favorite farmer of seventy-eight years at my local coffee shop, Simon never failed to give me the truth precisely as he saw it. I had asked him what he thought of Human Machine Interface Technology. “Sounds like science fiction to me. Don’t we already interact - interface, whatever - with machines? How else are we supposed to run the things?”
I laughed, but in a down-to-earth, back-to-common-sense way, Simon was right on. One encyclopedia explains Human-Machine Interface (HMI) technology, also known as user interface technology as the whole means by which human users interact with a particular system, such as a device, computer program or machine. HMI provides a mechanism by which users can input or manipulate a system, and provides the system a way to output or produce the effects of the users’ manipulation.
It’s not really so complicated. HMI is a broad term describing the “layer” between a person interacting with the machine and the machine itself. Applications are varied - from medical prostheses, such as cochlear implants, to computer-human interactions to the operation of vehicular Global Positioning System (GPS) devices.
For example, Web-based user interfaces accept input and provide output by generating Web pages transmitted via the Internet, which are then viewed by users through Web browser programs. Different implementations are utilized to provide real-time control in a separate program, effectively abolishing the need to refresh a traditional HTML-based Web browser.
The more exciting technologies include touch interfaces, which serve as excellent examples of the public’s increasing demand to be in control of their environment and their machines. Touch interfaces are graphical user interfaces using a touch-screen display as a device for both input and output.
This insistence is becoming apparent in the automotive industry, where consumers are demanding to be well-connected and in control. Most vehicular GPS devices, for example, are touch interfaces. Steering wheel controls can also use HMI technology to keep drivers connected through different wireless and electronic apparatuses. Certain corporations are even releasing vehicles in which much of the cockpit is run by HMI technology, such as reconfigurable instrument clusters, reconfigurable head-up displays (HUD), warning systems and multifunctional controls.
The trend seems to be in fewer gauges - reducing six-gauge systems, for example, to fewer with reconfigurable displays. There may be more use of a center cockpit, touch screens and reconfigurable thin film transistor (TFT) displays in the future, as well.
A report about HMI technologies stated the importance for designers to understand that HMI determines an operator’s perception about a machine. Designers are of vital importance, it went on to say, because operators need to be able to trust the apparatus - and trust their interactions with it - in order to make the technology successful. How skillful and mindful HMI designers are in their work will, in large part, determine that. HMI empowerment will come through ease-of-use features, ease of programmability, easy understanding and clear information displays.
According to that study, a portion of the designer population still considers HMI just a tool, but many technologies with vital benefits are poised to make HMI the central command station for monitoring and control operations. This technology has the power to transform equipment into better interactive instruments.
Focus will increasingly be on the integration of hardware and software across horizontal and vertical lines, as well as on security issues associated with HMI software, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. Escalating complexity and the high volume of connections requires this to be of current and future concern. Likewise, agility and portability are proving to be important trends in human-machine interaction and user experience research.
Mike Trudel, Freelance Writer.
Delphi Corp. is poised to apply its expertise and know-how to provide vehicle manufacturers and consumers with in-vehicle connectivity. To learn more about Delphi Corp., please visit www.Delphi.com/4Innovation or www.Delphi.com/4Connected.
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Automotive Engineers Help Save Lives And Cash
By Mike Trudel
It turns out all those fancy automotive safety devices cannot only help save lives, they can also save cash. According to The Economic Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes, roughly $230.6 billion was exhausted on motor vehicle crashes in 2000 in the U.S. Nearly 42 thousand people perished that year, and 28 million vehicles were damaged.
The same government report also revealed that 5.3 million individuals suffered non-fatal injuries, 39% of all traffic-related deaths were attributed to alcohol and such substance-induced accidents cost about $51 billion. Public tax revenues, amounting to $21 billion, paid the costs incurred by 9% of crashes. That’s $200 for each household in America.
But wait. There’s more. Lost market productivity was estimated at $61 billion, property damage at $59 billion, medical expenses at $32.6 billion and the cost of travel delays at $25.6 billion. Each fatality produced a discounted lifetime cost of approximately $977,000.
Active and passive safety systems developed by automotive engineers and their colleagues may be a bigger part of the answer than we might suspect. Systems currently being developed are addressing both the monetary and safety concerns of our roadways through devices that have automatic responses to dangerous conditions or events. For instance, adaptive cruise control adjusts the speed of the vehicle to maintain a preset time gap from the vehicle ahead. Active night vision uses infrared illuminators to help drivers to see better when driving at night and electronic stability control improves the safety of a vehicle’s handling, helping the driver maintain control of the vehicle.
Surprisingly, perhaps, these are just basic safety features - ranking amongst car navigation systems, keyless entry and hybrid cars as, yes, technological innovations, but old news to vehicle manufacturers. Lane departure and forward collision warning, pre-crash mitigation systems, side alert, pedestrian and road sign recognition systems are part of the new wave. These systems “read” the road using electronics, cameras and sensors. They alert drivers when they are drifting out of the intended lane, have another vehicle in their blind spots, are in danger of crashing or are distracted. These technological gems even respond to unavoidable crashes by enacting safety precautions, such as pretensioning motorized seat belts and applying brakes during the last 400 to 500 milliseconds before a crash, when there is little a driver can do to stop it.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 50% of all crashes involve “driver inattention.” It’s impossible to pinpoint how many crashes could have been avoided if there had only been some alert system warning drivers to pay more attention during critical moments. How many crashes could have been avoided by a single alert, some notification that another vehicle was in a driver’s blind spot? By shaving off four or five miles per hour before a crash by applying the brakes?
And while saving lives and preventing injuries is of the most concern, we cannot, in all reality, ignore the financial repercussions of roadway accidents. Billions upon billions of dollars are lost every year because of these crashes. Medical expenses, property damage and lost productivity are passed on to the average citizen in the form of higher taxes and insurance premiums. What if some percentage of this cost - even if slight - could be lessened by safety systems? One percent of hundreds of billions of dollars, after all, is nothing to scoff at.
Automotive engineers are critical contributors to advancing projects with aspirations of making roads safer. Without their expertise, none of the technology currently available would have been possible and neither would future innovations. What’s more, these talented individuals are integrating these devices so they are more affordable and, thus, more accessible to the masses.
In the near future, a modestly priced vehicle could have a myriad of safety features - forward collision and lane departure warning, road sign and pedestrian recognition, adaptive cruise control, pre-crash mitigation, electronic stability control, side alert. All of it. So kiss some automotive engineers today - hiding in their offices - and tell them you’re proud. They could just save your life … and at least a few bucks on your insurance policy.
Mike Trudel, Freelance Writer.
Delphi Corp. is a leading innovator of automobile safety equipment and technology. To learn about Delphi’s safety advancements, visit www.Delphi.com/4Innovation or www.Delphi.com/4safe
Best marketplace for the best car parts
By Rony Decosta
When you think of buying used parts for repairing your truck, you can definitely save your hundreds of dollars. Here at www.automotix.net you can shop online for your truck or auto parts and save more than 50% of your money. The website gives an opportunity to save money. As these used parts have been certified, there is absolutely no harm in purchasing them. Safety and quality of these auto and truck parts are guaranteed. Therefore, whether you are in search of used transmissions, used engines, used bumpers, used body parts, you can save money by buying these certified used parts from www.automotix.net.
With www.automotix.net, shopping for your auto body parts, used alloy wheels, used truck parts, remanufactured engines has never been so easier before. At automotix, everything is made easy and simple. It is indeed 1 stop shop for all your automotix supplies and parts. At www.automotix.net, you will get everything including automotive interiors, truck and car body parts, engine repair parts, motors. These online auto and car parts stores provide a very simple way to save your hard earned money.
You will definitely have a great shopping experience at www.automotix.net. Automotix is the perfect place to start your shopping for your used truck or car. The bargain cars marketplace at automotix is for those people who want to sell their cars and trucks as quickly as possible. The prices of vehicles at www.automotix.net are well below the market value.
The website also provides a search engine for discovering the whereabouts of your bargain vehicle. You don’t need to waste time going through bunch of cars. The search engines for bargain cars are designed in such a way that you can easily look for what is available currently in your area. In case you want to sell your bargain vehicle and decide to find someone who requires it, all you have to do is post your bargain truck/car at automotix bargain cars.
In case you want to order supplies and parts or find automotive parts or wish to sell your truck /car parts or vehicles, then automotix automotive exchange is the best option. The downloadable software allows you to buy as well as sell automotive parts easily. With this software, you are connected to nationwide sellers or buyers of automotive supplies and parts.
This brand new patented software allows you to interact with other owners of salvage yards, automotive stores, supplies and parts warehouses, and wrecking yards. Thus, you can always contact these people if you want to buy or sell used vehicles. The desktop alerting system makes you aware when a buyer shows interest in buying your automotive parts. You can thus perform your automotive business efficiently and quickly by helping you to keep track of what is going on in the market.
Automotix is one of the biggest marketplaces for used trucks/cars, for used parts and valuable information on how to repair or maintain your vehicle. At www.automotix.net you will find different ways suitable for you to buy or sell your truck or car, including trucks advertising and bargain cars, classified trucks, and car advertising. Here at www.automotix.net, you are sure to get a good deal, when you purchase a truck or car.
We offers auto body parts for trucks and cars manufactured by Buick, Ford, Nissan, GMC, Acura Integra etc. Automotix offers auto repair tips for those in need. Automotix has made it easy for licensed salvage yard dealers laymen to buy and sell salvaged automotive parts.
Monday, October 27th, 2008 at 7:05 pm and is filed under automotive. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
