14 DAY TRIAL // It's probably because there isn't anything new about most LCD TVs and monitors. Or maybe it's just a fluke. Either way, AIS managed to gain the attention of the media by releasing a new family of Industrial Flat Widescreen HMIs.
HMI stands for human-machine interface. So when AIS advertises its new products as HMI displays, that means they are supposed to be used in industrial systems, factory automation applications, product processing, maybe even point-of-sale.
That also means they are supposed to have support for touch input. Sure enough, they are multi-touch capable.
In fact, they are also plug-and-play ready and easy to use, or so AIS claims. They are compatible with Microsoft's Windows 7 OS.
Spec-wise, they share some of the basics with normal displays: a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD), 16:9 aspect ratio (40% more screen data than 4:3), TFT-LCD flat-panel technology, and multi-capacitive touch screen technology.
There are some unusual assets too though, like a NEMA 4-4x IP65 endurance rating (thanks to the aluminum front panel). It means the newcomer is good for applications that need rugged and durable HMI design.
AIS also ensures than the newcomers can be connected to industrial processing machinery, through a variety of input options and, more importantly, sizes.
There are 15.6-inch, 18.5-inch and 21.5-inch monitor form factors, all of them with panel, wall and VESA arm mounting.
"This is an example of the worlds of consumer and industrial engineering merging. Incorporating multi-touch technology, our new industrial monitors combine everyday gesture-based interactions and a true widescreen HD experience, with a sleek and rugged HMI made for the industrial environment," said Nelson Tsay, president of American industrial systems, Inc. AIS.
AIS didn't share the prices of the new LCD monitors, but that's not surprising because they will depend a lot on order size, negotiation skills and customer fidelity.