Beijer Electronics – Scanautomatic
A modern HMI for the factory floor, with AI support when something goes wrong
- Tech Demo,
- Industrial,
- UX/UI Design,
- AI
About the project
For Scanautomatic 2026 in Gothenburg, we built a demo together with Beijer Electronics that shows what good design does for an operator. The demo is built for Beijer's own hardware and WebIQ, their web-based HMI platform. The demo shows a scenario in a turning shop with a line of CNC lathes. The large screen shows the whole line and the small screen sits at one of the machines. When the core temperature of that machine starts rising, both screens change at the same time, so the operator sees at once what is happening and where.
From alarm to action
A machine alarm on the factory floor can be a very stressful situation for the operator. They know something is wrong but not why, and at worst the answer is somewhere in a manual or with a technician who may not be on site. In our demo, the operator can ask the alarm itself instead. The assistant explains that it is most likely a worn spindle bearing and suggests a first step: lower the speed, so the machine can keep running while the temperature falls. This is an example of how an on-prem AI can be used in a very simple but functional way. You give your AI access to all the manuals and operating logs, so it can act as support without the operator first having to explain the problem.
A new generation at the machine
There is also a shift that makes this especially relevant now. Many of the systems in factories today were built for a time when learning complex interfaces was part of the job, and experienced operators have often spent years mastering them. People starting out in industry today have grown up with digital products that are easy to understand and use. They have perfectly reasonable expectations that an interface should be clear, and see good usability as a natural part of quality. That raises the bar for HMIs, and it is a change that makes the work better for everyone at the machine, regardless of experience.
Great experiences on WebIQ
WebIQ is built on web technology, and that opens the door to something industry has long been missing: HMIs that feel as clear and easy to use as modern web apps. But the platform doesn't do the whole job on its own. An interface at the machine comes with a range of usability requirements. Flows have to follow how the operator actually works, functions should be where they are needed in the right context, and the screen has to be accessible and readable from a distance and in the middle of a shift. That is where Intunio's strength lies. Our designers and developers work in the same team, and we have designed and built interfaces for connected products since 2015, in everything from vehicles and medtech to industry. We create interfaces that work even on the factory floor, with shared components, charts and themes that make every screen and the whole product fit together as one. From design to production-ready code.
Key takeaways
A good HMI matters most when something goes wrong. When an alarm goes off, the screen should answer three questions straight away: what has happened, where, and what do I do now. AI can help with the last one, as long as it is grounded in the machine's own manuals and operating logs and suggests steps that the operator confirms. Quality often lies in the details. Showing status with both colour and shape following IEC 60073 keeps the screen readable from a distance and for people with colour blindness. Things like this rarely show up in a requirements list, but the people who use the screen every day notice them straight away. For a machine manufacturer, this is also about building something that lasts. When themes, components and views come from the same foundation, the next machine is quicker to develop and the HMI feels modern from day one.
Do you like what we do?
Don't hesitate to share your next idea with us. We'd love to learn more about you and what we can create together.
