DISPLAYS & UIs


Why more customers are switching to smart displays -


By Keith Wong, technical business development manager, Inelco Hunter and how to choose the right one for your next project


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cross industrial equipment, medical devices and commercial systems, more manufacturers are replacing traditional control panels with smart displays. This shift is driven by the need for better user experience, remote connectivity, faster development  Today, the display is no longer just an interface - it is often the central control hub of the entire system.


Customers expect responsive touch interfaces, clear diagnostics and the ability  time, engineering teams must reduce development risk and shorten time to market. Choosing the right smart display platform has therefore become a critical design decision that directly affects performance, cost and product reliability.


Mainstream smart display platforms in today’s market


Several smart display approaches are widely used in the industry. Each has advantages and limitations depending on the application.


Proprietary HMI displays (e.g., PLC-based HMIs)


Proprietary HMI displays are widely used in 24 MAY 2026 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS


industrial automation and machine control. They are reliable and easy to deploy in standardised environments. However, they are typically expensive solutions and cannot be fully integrated into a custom-designed enclosure because they are pre-built products. Customisation, performance  also be limited due to closed development  ecosystems.


MCU-based displays


General-purpose MCU-based displays are often used in cost-sensitive applications. They  engineering effort to build a complete display system from scratch. Graphics performance, scalability and long-term maintainability can be limited, especially as product requirements grow.


Smart UART displays


 to integrate using serial commands. They do reduce software development effort,  system control. They are best suited for basic interfaces. Furthermore, they cannot


meet the requirements of modern graphical user interfaces, advanced animations, or interactive touch applications.


MPU-based displays (Embedded Linux)


MPU-based displays provide high processing capability and support complex software environments. They are suitable for multimedia or gateway-type applications. However, they often introduce longer boot times, higher power consumption, increased system complexity and reduced real-time determinism. They also typically require a longer learning curve and extended development time, which can increase project cost and delay product launch.


STM32-based smart displays STM32 smart displays combine real-time control capability with modern graphical user interfaces. They provide strong performance,  reliability. These platforms are commonly used in industrial equipment, medical devices, smart appliances and commercial systems where both responsiveness and system control are required.


Key factors for selecting a smart display for


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