APEM Vista, Calif., Jan 15, 2026 — APEM announces the PKD, PKI and PKR series of advanced CANbus keypads, with many user interface options and a compact form factor designed to resist the elements. This product family provides a myriad of options for vehicle OEMs to add exceptional and beautiful visualization and control features, enhancing their equipment using standardized components, while avoiding the complexity and expense of fully custom devices.
Modern vehicles incorporate many on-board digital and automation systems, which are typically interconnected using standard communication protocols such as CANOpen and J1939. While touchscreen displays can be developed to access these capabilities, there are many cases where one or more durable keypads provide a superior user interface.
APEM now offers the PKx series of keypad interfaces, which join a well-established line of industrial-grade switches and indicators. Depending on the model, a variety of capabilities are possible:
- Configurable multicolor LED backlight
- High intensity RGB LED status indicators
- Standard or modular pushbuttons and knobs
- A 3-in-1 knob combining a pushbutton, rotary encoder and joystick
- Laser etched icons, or stock icon inserts
- IP67/69K ingress protection and 400-hour UVB protection
- Flexible mounting
These keypads feature a silicone rubber front face, a plastic backshell and connectorized CANbus wires for easy installation where space is at a premium, when functionality cannot be compromised, and/or in adverse conditions.
Designers can select from three major product families, each with various standard and optional features, as follows:
- PKD: This series integrates an innovative 3-in-1 pushbutton/knob/joystick with 4 or 6 keypad buttons, each with two LED indicators. The PKD provides precise and diverse input options in one compact design.
- PKI: This series is available in configurations of 1 to 15 key positions, arranged in 1 to 3 rows with 1 to 6 columns. Each position can be provisioned with a keypad button (using a replaceable icon insert), and a 15 key version can incorporate up to two 16-detent rotary knobs. The PKI is available with thousands of stock icon inserts, making it suitable for almost any conceivable application.
- PKR: This series is available in four sizes offering a total of 6 to 14 key positions. Each position includes a keypad button with 0 to 3 LED indicators. The PKR is extremely compact, delivering a high button density, while preserving excellent usability.
All PKx keypads are designed with a wide operating temperature range, thermal/mechanical shock and vibration resistance, and the ability to withstand UV, salt spray and chemical exposure. Every indicator and keypad button is easily configured to interface with host systems over open CANOpen and J1939 protocols.
With the introduction of the APEM PKD, PKI and PKR series of keypads, OEM and industrial designers now have access to a premium and highly adaptable user interface to help them differentiate their products, without requiring cost-prohibitive custom and esoteric design work. The PKx series is a first-rate solution for off-road, defense, specialty vehicle, automotive, agricultural, industrial and nautical markets.
About APEM
For over 60 years, APEM has been a leading manufacturer of high-quality miniature and industrial switches, joysticks and HMI solutions. Since joining forces with IDEC Corporation in 2017, the company — now operating as IDEC Corporation dba APEM — has become one of the world's largest manufacturers of human-machine interface components.
As a vertically integrated manufacturer, APEM remains committed to the highest standards of safety, innovation and reliability across its expansive portfolio of switches, indicators and keypads.
