ABB’s Machine Automation division, B&R, has unveiled a new generation of Human-Machine Interface (HMI) solutions. The new portfolio is built around usability, and it gives machine builders the tools to design operating concepts that are clear, intuitive and adapted to each application. HMIs now shape much of how users experience a machine. B&R’s scalable ecosystem provides the components needed to make operation simpler and more efficient.
“Our scalable range of HMIs and automation PCs, combined with open technologies and long-term lifecycle support, gives machine builders a complete package. It covers everything from a single machine to large-scale series production,” explains Klemens Sattlegger, Global Product Group Manager HMI / Industrial Computing at B&R. “Together with our visualization software and integrated engineering environment, this forms a complete ecosystem.”
APC 40A: high performance and built-in cyber security
The new APC 40A is a high-performance industrial PC powered by AMD processors. It includes an integrated neural processing unit (NPU) that delivers up to 50 TOPS. This makes it well suited to compute-intensive tasks and AI-based applications. Security-by-design features are built into the hardware, which helps machine builders comply with current and upcoming cyber security requirements.
Automation Panel 1500: smarter operator interaction
The Automation Panel 1500 represents B&R’s next step in HMI design. The panel has a camera, an RFID reader and an LED status bar built directly into it. Logos, labels and function keys can be customized to match each machine’s design, so individual panels are possible even for a batch size of one.
mapp View now runs directly on the hardware
For applications where space is limited, B&R is extending its Power Panel range. The Power Panel C650 is the first model in the new Power Panel 600 family. It brings visualization, control and engineering together in one compact system. With the launch of mapp View EMB, B&R’s mapp View visualization software now also runs on the Power Panel platform. Machine builders can keep the same engineering workflow across different HMI platforms and build advanced visualizations with less demanding hardware.
AI Assistant integrated into the HMI
At SPS 2026, B&R will show how artificial intelligence can make machines easier to operate with its new AI Assistant. The assistant draws only on the machine manual and data from the machine controller, and it gives operators the information they need directly on the HMI. The solution runs on-premises, so sensitive machine and production data always stay under the operator’s control.
B&R at SPS 2026
Alongside its new human-machine interaction solutions, B&R will present a wide range of further industrial automation innovations at SPS 2026 in Nuremberg. Visitors can find B&R in Hall 7, Booth 206.