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A man-machine interface (MMI) is the interaction boundary through which an operator and a machine exchange information: the machine communicates its status or other information, and the operator sends commands or control actions back. It can include physical controls and indicators as well as screens or software, depending on the machine and the field.
What does “man-machine interface” mean?
The World Health Organization’s 1972 ergonomics text describes the interface as “an imaginary plane across which information is exchanged between the operator and the machine.” The “plane” is conceptual: it marks the boundary where the operator receives information from the machine and acts on it.
This exchange has two directions. Displays and indicators convey information from the machine to the operator; controls convey the operator’s actions to the machine. An MMI is therefore more than a control panel or a screen considered on its own: it is the combination of interaction elements that lets an operator monitor and control equipment.
What can an MMI include?
In equipment terminology, examples include manually operated actuators, indicators, and screens. The applicable components depend on the equipment and the task.
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- Input and control: the controls or other elements through which an operator issues an instruction or changes machine operation.
- Output and feedback: indicators, screens, or other elements that present status or information to the operator.
- Other interaction channels: in telecommunications, the interface may include audio or haptic elements, and may have both physical and logical components.
As a result, an MMI need not be limited to hardware. In some settings it includes software and several ways of communicating with a device or service.
Is MMI the same as HMI or a user interface?
The terms overlap, but their use depends on the field. HMI means “human-machine interface”; user interface is another related term. ISO terminology notes that in machine tools, a user interface is often called an MMI. ETSI telecommunications terminology also uses MMI in describing a user interface for communicating with a terminal or service.
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These examples show related usage in particular domains, not a universal rule that MMI, HMI, and user interface mean exactly the same thing in every industry. When describing a specific machine or system, use the terminology in its relevant standard or product documentation and make clear what equipment or software is included.
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When explaining or specifying an interface, identify its application area first. ITU-T Recommendation Z.352 says the application area has a substantial impact on the final HMI design and describes a data-oriented approach with a three-layer reference model for harmonizing data definitions and external presentations.
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Then describe the interaction in practical terms:
- State the operator’s task and application area. Explain what the operator is expected to monitor or control.
- Identify the input path. Say how the operator sends commands or control actions.
- Identify the feedback path. Say how the machine presents status, information, or results.
- Name the relevant components and modalities. Specify whether the interface uses controls, indicators, screens, audio, haptics, software, hardware, or a combination.
This makes the scope clearer than using “MMI” alone, particularly when a description could refer either to physical equipment or to a broader software-based interface.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where the definition comes from
The WHO’s Introduction to Ergonomics (Chapter 8, “Man/Machine Information Exchange,” 1972) provides the information-exchange model and distinguishes machine displays from operator controls. A 2015 EN 62744 terminology excerpt reproduces an MMI/HMI definition sourced to IEC 60447:2004, describing equipment intended for direct communication with an operator and for control and monitoring; the cited material is a standards-catalog excerpt rather than the full IEC publication. ISO terminology records MMI usage in machine tools, while ETSI material applies related user-interface terminology to telecommunications. ITU-T Z.352 provides guidance on specifying HMI in context.
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