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APEM and Alps Alpine Europe strengthen collaboration to deliver next-generation industrial HMI solutions

Initial focus on material handling, with broader opportunities ahead The first projects will focus on the material handling sector, where the rapid growth of warehouse automation, e-commerce and logistics operations is driving demand for increasingly sophisticated operator interfaces. The collaboration is expected to expand into additional markets, including: Off-highway vehicles Industrial machinery Automated equipment Future mobility platforms 🔔 Key takeaway By combining APEM's industrial HMI expertise with Alps Alpine Europe's automotive engineering capabilities, the collaboration provides manufacturers with the expertise and manufacturing strength needed to accelerate projects while delivering functionally safe and highly competitive HMI solutions for the next generation of industrial equipment. 🤝 The collaboration between APEM and Alps Alpine Europe aims to provide OEMs with access to a broader range of HMI expertise, advanced functional safety capabilities and innovative technologies through a coordinated approach. Do you think this partnership could give one of your projects a boost? 👉 Contact us, and let's talk about it! The five benefits for our customers 1. Fully integrated systems, not a box of parts Armrests, cockpits, dashboards, tiller heads, and modular panels — engineered as cohesive solutions from day one. Fewer interfaces to manage, fewer failure points to worry about. 2. Automotive-grade quality and production controls for industrial conditions Alps Alpine's proven automotive engineering rigour is now applied to the durability standards your environments demand. Products that pass the harshest vibration, ingress, and lifecycle tests. 3. Sensing, connectivity, and digital services built in No more bolting on connectivity as an afterthought. The integrated approach embeds sensing and digital capabilities directly into the HMI hardware, giving your machines smarter interfaces out of the box. 4. Faster time-to-market on complex programs Alps Alpine's European manufacturing footprint means short, resilient supply chains. Combined with APEM's deep application expertise, your development cycles get shorter while benefiting from proven industrialization processes and scalable manufacturing capabilities. 5. A single team to call A dedicated joint team from both companies means one conversation, one point of accountability, and experts who already speak the same language about your project. Addressing the growing complexity of machine interfaces Whether in material handling equipment, off-highway vehicles or industrial machinery, operators now expect more from machine controls than ever before. Connectivity, advanced functionalities, ergonomics … are becoming standard expectations. At the same time, OEMs must maintain the levels of reliability, durability and safety required in harsh operating environments. Meeting all of these requirements often means coordinating multiple suppliers, technologies and development teams, increasing both project complexity and time-to-market. To simplify this process, APEM and Alps Alpine Europe have strengthened their collaboration in Europe, bringing together APEM's expertise in rugged industrial HMIs and customer applications with Alps Alpine Europe's advanced electronics, sensing technologies, software capabilities, automotive-grade engineering know-how and large-scale industrialization .

Simplifying CAN-based control systems in drilling equipment

When a manufacturer of drilling and foundation equipment began evaluating new control solutions, it needed a product capable of meeting demanding integration and CAN communication requirements. Following the introduction of APEM's PKD series, the customer quickly recognized its potential. Through close technical collaboration and customization support, the PKD proved to be a strong fit for the application, creating a natural alignment between the customer's needs and the solution's capabilities.

Use case: Safety-critical pushbutton switch for heavy machinery

Operating earthmoving equipment is far from a desk job. Drivers spend hours navigating rugged terrain, often in extreme weather, while managing heavy machinery with precision. Dust, vibration, noise, and limited visibility create constant challenges, making every control in the cab critical to safety, comfort, and efficiency. Standard switches and controls often struggle to meet these rigorous conditions: they can be difficult to see, prone to wear, or unable to provide the safety-critical signaling operators rely on. This customer use case highlights how these challenges were addressed through the development of a fully customized switch for the armrest of the driver’s chair. Designed with ergonomics, durability, and safety in mind, it ensures reliable operation even in the harshest environments, improving both the operator’s experience and the performance of the equipment.

What are the functions of human-machine interfaces in forklift controls?

Forklifts come in various types for specific tasks. Whether you use counterbalance forklifts, pallet jacks, or stand-up forklifts, all are equipped with HMIs that allow operators to precisely control movement and load handling. These human-machine interfaces include a combination of joysticks, pushbuttons, and indicator lights, making for efficient and safe operation in industrial and logistics environments.

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Synapse: the adaptive joystick concept for next-generation defense systems

As military vehicles evolve, shouldn’t their controls adapt too? Modern defense platforms are changing rapidly. Remote weapon stations, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), autonomous naval vessels, and drone deployment systems are becoming increasingly common across military operations. The future of the battlefield is one in which operators are no longer physically present inside the vehicles they control. Instead, they manage remote platforms, supervise autonomous systems, or coordinate multiple vehicles simultaneously. This evolution creates new challenges for human-machine interaction. Traditional joystick designs offer fixed sensitivity and response characteristics. However, modern missions are rarely fixed. Operators face different terrains, mission profiles, vehicle behaviors, and operational objectives throughout a single deployment. This is where adaptive control concepts such as APEM’s Synapse can redefine the operator experience.

Operating in silence - Communication systems in submarines

Deep beneath the ocean surface, a military submarine operates in complete isolation. Cut off from conventional communication channels, surrounded by pressure and silence, every piece of information exchanged becomes critical. A delayed message, a misunderstood signal, or an unclear interface can have immediate operational consequences. In this environment, communication systems are not just technical tools, they are lifelines. They must ensure secure, real-time, and unambiguous data exchange between crew members, command units, and external forces, all within extreme physical and operational constraints. Just as importantly, the human-machine interface (HMI) must allow operators to interact with these systems instantly and intuitively, even under stress.

Inside a military vehicle cockpit: How rugged HMIs provide full control

Dust shakes through the cabin, the engine roars, and the terrain outside is anything but predictable. Inside a military vehicle, there’s no room for hesitation or failure, every command must respond instantly, even in the harshest conditions. In this environment, rugged human-machine interfaces become more than controls: they are the silent link between operator and machine. This article explores how these systems are engineered to withstand extreme military conditions while keeping full operational precision.

ARE YOUR MACHINES AS SAFE AS YOU THINK THEY ARE?

Your vehicle or machine stops unexpectedly. An operator is hurt. The investigation reveals a component failure that could have been predicted — but wasn't. This is not a hypothetical scenario. Every day, in industrial environments, equipment malfunctions and human errors combine to create dangerous situations. If you are questioning the safety integrity of your vehicles and machines, you are not alone. On the occasion of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, on April 28 , APEM invites you to look at safety differently — not as a compliance checkbox, but as something that starts at the component level.

B10d: definition, calculation and applications

Functional safety has become a key requirement for modern off-highway vehicles such as construction equipment, agricultural machinery, forestry machines, and material handling vehicles. These machines often operate in harsh environments and in close proximity to operators and bystanders, making the reliability of safety-related control systems essential to prevent accidents and hazardous situations.

What is APEM’s QHSE strategy?

APEM’s QHSE strategy improves organizational performance by ensuring compliance, managing quality, health, safety, and environmental risks, and promoting continuous improvement. Through process standardization and digitalized monitoring, this customer-driven strategy enables real-time anomaly detection and proactive risk management.

APEM’s QHSE standards and certifications

At APEM, quality, safety, and environmental responsibility are embedded in every stage of our operations. Our QHSE framework is supported by internationally recognized standards and certifications that ensure consistent manufacturing processes, reliable products, and full regulatory compliance across our global sites. From certified quality management systems and automotive industry standards to internationally approved product certifications, APEM applies rigorous controls and qualification processes to guarantee performance, safety, and reliability. In parallel, we actively comply with global regulatory requirements and pursue responsible industrial practices that support sustainability, employee safety, and ethical supply chains.