- June 12, 2025
- Bosch Rexroth
STUTTGART, Germany - June 12, 2025 - With the new HMInow, Bosch Connected Industry enables machine manufacturers and machine operators to create standardized human-machine interfaces (HMIs) for each machine with just a few clicks–regardless of the control system (PLC). The software solution from the Nexeed Automation portfolio simplifies and accelerates the creation of high-performance HMIs and machine visualizations. Ready-to-use standard views and control elements are available directly via drag and drop. Initial applications show that the time for HMI creation can be reduced by more than a third. In addition to the official market launch at automatica 2025 (hall A6, booth 502) on June 24 to 27, further live demos on July 9 and 10 will provide insights into the functionalities of the software solution.
Conventional HMI solutions: Simple appearance, complex creation
As a user interface, often in the form of an integrated screen or tablet, HMIs are essential for the operation of any machine. In addition to elements for machine control, they include a display of all important data, such as the current performance or the status of individual devices. However, what might appear trivial during operation–such as a simple button for starting or stopping a machine movement–must be added and programmed individually, often under high time pressure. End customers often require a specific PLC solution, obliging machine manufacturers to use the HMI of the PLC supplier and resulting in high maintenance and creation efforts. This is usually accompanied by an inconsistent HMI design–which in turn generates more documentation and learning effort for machine operators.
The actual implementation remains complex even with existing solutions for HMI creation: dozens of parameters must be defined manually for each element–like placement, appearance and connection with the PLC.
HMInow: Fast creation thanks to predefined elements
HMInow eliminates most of these challenges. The solution is independent of the manufacturer: an open PLC connection via OPC UA or native protocols make it possible to use the same software for each machine. Thanks to prefabricated PLC structures, no programming knowledge is required. The majority of the most important control elements–from simple buttons to more complex diagrams or axes–are also already available in a constantly growing library with industry-specific views.
PLC programmers can quickly drag predefined views into the HMI and connect them with the structures used in the PLC program. “The ready-to-use elements can be inserted simply by dragging and dropping. As soon as the link to the PLC is set, the view is ready for use. This saves time both when creating the HMI and connecting the PLC,” explains Andreas Deininger, product manager at Bosch Connected Industry. “No other HMI provider on the market offers a solution tailored specifically to the PLC programmers. This approach also enables our customers to achieve a very high level of user-friendliness and consistency in the HMI across all machines.”
Consistent design for all HMIs
HMInow offers customers maximum flexibility: they can define and adapt their own standard elements and templates to accelerate future HMI creation. Ready-to-use views can be accessed and controlled via the web from a wide range of devices. HMInow also offers a uniform, appealing HMI design that can be easily adapted without any additional effort for PLC programmers. “Machine operators also benefit from this consistent appearance, as they no longer have to familiarize themselves with a wide variety of machine operations,” Deininger explains.
Cost-effective and low in risk
The tool is already being used by three pilot customers, including Bosch. “We have received very positive feedback on the speed of creation, the consistency and the look and feel of HMInow,” said Andreas Deininger. The benefits of the new solution were also confirmed in figures: at Bosch, the required HMIs were created with a time saving of 38%.
For a simple and flexible start, Bosch Connected Industry offers different license packages from S to XL, depending on the number of desired variables and devices. This license concept and the fast and simple installation allow companies to commission and test HMInow on the first machine without great risk.
Web-based, open and AI-ready
HMInow is completely web-based and enables use on any device with an available browser. The responsive design also supports the use of any operating format. The open HTML-based file format enables seamless integration into version management systems, allowing several people to work together optimally on an HMI project. The open format also creates ideal conditions for the future use of AI technologies in combination with HMInow.
Live demo
Live demos will provide deeper insight into the solution on July 9 in German from 9.30-10.15 a.m. (CEST) and on July 10 in English from 4-4.45 p.m. (CEST). The experts from Bosch Connected Industry will guide participants through the most important functionalities of HMInow and answer questions. Interested parties can register here.