HMI designers face increasing pressure to deliver sophisticated solutions faster than ever before. This article examines how the new SECO Pi Vision 10.1 CM5, powered by Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5, addresses this challenge by providing a platform that excels in both rapid prototyping and commercial deployment. We explore how this innovative solution enables OEMs to meet growing demands for better displays, connectivity, and local AI processing, while overcoming talent shortages and accelerating time-to-market.
Human-machine interface (HMI) development has never been more challenging: product lifecycles are shrinking, while customer expectations are rising.
The HMI, also known as a Panel PC, is a complex device, comprised of a display with touchscreen, an embedded internal computer, standard and industrial interfaces, and rugged packaging that facilitates mounting and reliable operation in difficult industrial environments. OEMs need a way to accelerate prototyping so they can iterate ideas faster and focus their energy on software differentiation rather than basic hardware design.
That’s why so many companies are turning to platforms like Raspberry Pi. Raspberry Pi’s widespread adoption, extensive software ecosystem, and active community make it an ideal tool for fast and cost-effective prototyping. However, transitioning from a Raspberry Pi prototype to a commercial-grade solution introduces new challenges, including the need for industrial reliability, long-term support, and security features.
The Growing Pressures on HMI Designers
The HMI has become a fundamental feature across a wide range of applications. It’s easy to see why:
- In industrial automation, easy-to-understand interfaces are needed to manage complex machines and SCADA systems
- In transportation and logistics, clear visuals are critical for keeping fleets and warehouses running smoothly
- In smart retail, intuitive interfaces are needed for interactive kiosks and point-of-sale (POS) systems
While the particulars of these applications differ, they are all looking for HMIs with good looking displays, reliable connectivity, and local processing that often includes artificial intelligence (AI) capability. In industrial automation, for example, manufacturers want to equip production lines with real-time analytics and predictive maintenance alerts so operators can rapidly respond to any issues.
Building these complex HMIs is tough because it requires a complex mix of hardware, software, and networking expertise.
The Challenge of Transitioning from Prototype to Production
This is where Raspberry Pi comes in. Famed for its ready-to-use hardware and rich software ecosystem, Raspberry Pi makes it easy to pull together an HMI prototype in a matter of days. There’s just one problem: standard Raspberry Pi boards are not designed for industrial environments.
For designers, this presents a dilemma. They can either rebuild the HMI on a platform meant for industrial environments, or they can attempt to harden the prototype for commercial use.
Both options have serious drawbacks. Moving to a completely new platform reintroduces all the complexities designers were trying to avoid by using Raspberry Pi. On the other hand, hardening a Raspberry Pi prototype is often impractical, as it requires extensive modifications for long-term reliability, regulatory compliance, and system integration.
A Better Approach: SECO Pi Vision 10.1 CM5
The SECO Pi Vision 10.1 CM5 is specifically designed to address these challenges, providing a seamless path for taking the Raspberry Pi from prototype to production. Recently unveiled at embedded world 2025, this innovative solution integrates:
- A high-quality 10.1-inch industrial-grade display enclosed within a ruggedized, easy-to-mount housing
- The powerful Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5, designed specifically for embedded applications
- Sustainable volume production supply chain made possible via a partnership between SECO and Raspberry Pi Foundation.
Unlike standard Raspberry Pi boards, the CM5 is engineered for embedded applications, providing higher performance, industrial reliability, and long-term support. For example, it features a quad-core, 2.4 GHz Arm-based processor (Cortex-A76, 64-bit) with the performance to handle demanding workloads. The board is already deployed in numerous commercial-grade solutions for applications like industrial automation, proving its suitability for production environments.
At the same time, the platform retains all the ecosystem support that makes Raspberry Pi such a powerful tool for prototyping. This unique combination eliminates the traditional gap between development platforms and production hardware, allowing teams to maintain software compatibility throughout the product lifecycle.
Enhanced Capabilities with Clea IoT Software Suite
The Pi Vision 10.1 CM5 runs Raspberry Pi OS and Clea OS—both Linux operating systems.
Raspberry Pi OS is enabled with SECO’s Clea IoT software suite, facilitating integration of the Pi Vision 10.1 CM5 with standard IoT communication protocols and functionality. Built on Yocto, Clea OS is an industrial-grade embedded Linux OS that similarly provides IoT functionality on edge devices. Either OS extends the capabilities of the Pi Vision 10.1 CM5 beyond traditional HMI functions and easily integrates with Clea to provide a robust foundation for industrial applications while maintaining compatibility with the broader Raspberry Pi ecosystem.
Clea offers:
- Secure fleet management, which enables remote monitoring and updates across deployed devices
- Real-time data processing that transforms sensor data into actionable insights at the edge
- An application sandboxed, containerized architecture that supports deployment and updates of edge AI and machine learning models
- Secure boot and encryption features to protect sensitive data and ensure system integrity
The pre-integration of these advanced features significantly reduces IoT development and deployment efforts, allowing teams to focus on application-specific requirements rather than building infrastructure.
A Smarter Approach to HMI Development
The Pi Vision 10.1 CM5 offers everything that makes Raspberry Pi great for rapid prototyping, while streamlining the transition to mass production. The Clea ecosystem extends these advantages further, providing pre-integrated IoT and AI capabilities that accelerate development while enabling more sophisticated applications.
By eliminating the gap between prototyping and production, Pi Vision 10.1 CM5 helps OEMs develop HMI solutions ahead of the competition, all with lower development costs and a relatively low unit price for an industrial-grade HMI.
Ready to accelerate prototyping and production? Contact SECO today to learn how we can help you create market-beating HMI solutions.