Adaptive control elements to improve the HMI of an agricultural tractor

Abstract

Agricultural tractors are used for a multitude of work scenarios with appropriate implements. This leads to a large number of changing operating scenarios. However, the human-machine-interface (HMI) is mainly static and consequently a compromise solution for all possible operating scenarios. Therefore, it is often challenging drivers to understand the operating logic, the operating procedures, and the assignment of control elements (CE) to functions. This reduces efficiency and can lead to operating errors. An approach to avoid the previously mentioned ambiguities is an HMI comprising adaptive control elements that adapt to the operating scenario. This paper shows the automated and objective analysis of the operation of a state of the art tractor in 14 scenarios. Based on this, it is shown how the concept for an adaptive HMI can be derived from the analysis results.