Increasing connectivity and automation in the off-highway sector enhance the interaction between man and machine: the “ideal” human-machine interface (HMI) supports the driver, providing the right information at the right time. Camera and radar systems facilitate all-round visibility and can contribute to increasing safety. Augmented reality (XR) is also finding its way into assistance systems and HMI solutions for mobile machinery. Visitors can find out more about this at Systems & Components, which takes place from November 9 to 15, 2025 at the exhibition grounds in Hanover, Germany. The B2B event is organized by the DLG (German Agricultural Society) and takes place as part of the world’s leading trade fair for agricultural machinery, Agritechnica.
“Mobile machinery must be able to work reliably in a harsh and constantly changing environment. The machinery performs tasks that demands the operator’s undivided attention,” says Petra Kaiser from the DLG (German Agricultural Society), organizer of Systems & Components. Autonomous functions are therefore an enhanced support for operators. “These functions reduce work load, while at the same time the machine operator retains control,” says Petra Kaiser, Brand Manager of Systems & Components, the leading meeting place for the international supplier industry for the off-highway sector. This year’s guiding theme of the event is “Touch Smart Efficiency” which reflects the importance of inspecting technologies close-up.
The wide variety of different machines in the agricultural and construction industries leads to a high demand for modular and flexible solutions. “This means that new functions for the autonomous operation of a machine can be added piece by piece. This development is also reflected at the exhibition grounds in Hanover,” says Kaiser, giving an outlook on the content of the B2B marketplace, which will once again take place as part of the world’s leading trade fair for agricultural machinery, Agritechnica.
Reliable under harsh conditions
The system architecture of a mobile machine in the future will be required to process more and more data from an increasing number of sensors. Ideally, this information should be presented to the operator in an intuitive way. Smart and effective HMI technologies are essential for this. They keep the driver informed of the current situation during operation. “An optimal communication between man and machine is required, in which the vehicle also increasingly takes on an active role,” explains Kaiser. The aim is for the vehicle to help the driver understand a given situation while enhancing safety and providing all the necessary information but without overloading the operator. At Systems & Components, numerous HMI solutions will focus on the continuous feedback on important operating data such as speed, fuel consumption, crop yield and machine status. This makes it possible to make informed decisions in the cockpit and work more efficiently.
Mobile machines are increasingly being controlled remotely. In these cases, it is a particular challenge for human operators to maintain an overview of the machine and its surroundings. The latest developments therefore focus on extended reality (XR) technologies. The digital extension of the human sensory organs is intended to take interaction with the machine to a new level. For Christiana Seethaler, Vice President Product Development at TTControl, the integration of XR technologies into HMI products is the “next step towards creating smarter, more reliable off-highway machines.” The principle behind it: XR technologies show the machine status in the driver’s immediate field of vision, haptic feedback can send tangible signals, for example via a joystick. In addition, acoustic signals draw attention to dangers.
Sensor fusion contributes to greater reliability
In combination with external sensors, such XR tools can help to identify obstacles and other influencing factors in the environment. This not only makes a contribution to enhanced safety, but also increases efficiency through predictive working. However: “XR technology must be intuitive enough to enable low-threshold use,” explains Martijn Rooker, Innovation Projects & Funding Manager at TTControl.
Strong environmental sensor technologies not only provide an important building block for the automation of mobile machinery – they also could make a significant contribution to safety. Consequently, solutions for accident prevention are a key focus of Systems & Components. The technology suppliers are confronted with hugely different environmental conditions. Strong contrasts, backlighting and twilight pose major challenges for camera systems. This is one reason why several sensor systems such as LiDAR, ultrasound or radar are used in combination with RGB or infrared cameras. The process of combining sensor data coming from disparate sources is known as sensor fusion. The application increases the reliability of the resulting commands of the assistance systems. This can allow work cycles to be carried more effectively and more safely, which ultimately saves time and costs.
