Human-Machine Interface

The point of interaction between a human user and a machine, system, or device, encompassing the hardware and software through which users communicate with and control technology. In the context of accessible design, HMIs include physical controls (buttons, levers, keypads), displays (screens, indicator lights), audio systems (speakers, microphones), and tactile elements (Braille labels, haptic feedback). The accessibility of HMIs is critical for ensuring that people with disabilities can effectively use technology, particularly in safety-critical systems like autonomous vehicles where the interface must be operable by users with diverse abilities including those with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive disabilities.