The Future of Display and Touchscreen Technology in Industrial Environments

The Future of Display and Touchscreen Technology in Industrial Environments

In today’s fast-evolving industrial landscape, display and touchscreen technologies are becoming increasingly advanced, robust, and integral to operations across sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, automation, healthcare, and logistics. From rugged panel PCs to advanced Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs), the technology behind industrial displays continues to improve – offering greater flexibility, durability, and interactivity.

In this article, we explore the current state and future of display and touchscreen technologies in industrial applications, including screen types, shapes, touch interfaces, resolutions, and expected developments over the next 12 months.

Latest Display Technologies for Industrial Use

Industrial environments demand display solutions that are not only high-performance but also durable and adaptable. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common and emerging technologies in use:

Screen Types: LCD, TFT, OLED and More

• LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): The most common display type in industrial computing due to its reliability and cost-efficiency. Widely used in panel PCs and operator terminals.
• TFT (Thin-Film Transistor): A type of LCD offering enhanced brightness, contrast, and colour depth – ideal for use in brightly lit or outdoor environments.
• OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode): Known for superior contrast, faster response times, and thinner profiles. OLED displays are beginning to appear in more specialized industrial applications where precision and visibility are critical.
• OLED Character Displays (PMOLED-based): Compact, monochrome displays designed for showing alphanumeric characters in fixed formats (e.g. 16×2, 20×4). Widely used in industrial control panels, measurement devices, and embedded systems due to their high contrast, wide viewing angles, and low power consumption.
• E Ink (Electronic Paper Display): Excellent for low-power applications where content doesn’t change frequently, such as electronic shelf labels or outdoor signage.

Screen Shapes: From Standard to Custom Designs

Modern industrial displays are not limited to standard 4:3 or 16:9 ratios. Custom screen shapes such as ultra-wide displays, round screens and square panels are now more accessible, allowing for more ergonomic and space-efficient designs in kiosks, vehicles, and machinery.

Resolution and Clarity: Enhancing Industrial Visualization

Resolution continues to be a critical consideration for industrial applications. While 1024×768 and 1280×1024 remain standard for many control systems, Full HD (1920×1080) and even 4K resolutions are becoming increasingly popular for applications requiring detailed graphical interfaces – such as surveillance, diagnostics, or complex visual monitoring systems.

Touchscreen Technologies: Intuitive and Reliable Interfaces

Industrial touchscreens must offer both sensitivity and robustness. Today’s options include:

• Resistive Touch: A cost-effective and durable solution, ideal for environments where users wear gloves or need stylus input.
• Capacitive Touch (PCAP): High sensitivity and multi-touch support, ideal for applications needing modern UI experiences.
• Infrared (IR) and Optical Touch: Suitable for large-format or outdoor displays where rugged performance is required.
• Projected Capacitive with Glove or Wet Detection: Increasingly popular in medical, food processing, and outdoor industries where hygiene and environmental exposure are critical concerns.

Input Options: Versatility for Industrial Systems

Modern industrial displays come with a wide range of input interfaces, such as VGA, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C. Many solutions also support legacy ports for older industrial equipment, alongside IP-rated connectors for environments exposed to dust, moisture, and vibration.

What to Expect in the Next 12 Months

Over the coming year, industrial touchscreen and display technology will continue to advance. Here are a few trends to watch:

• Wider adoption of sunlight-readable and high-brightness displays for outdoor and mobile environments.
• Growth in edge-to-edge, bezel-free industrial displays, enhancing hygiene in medical and food sectors.
• Custom and flexible screen shapes tailored to specific machinery or interface designs.
• Increased adoption of rugged OLED panels as durability and pricing improve.
• Integration of AI-driven interfaces and machine vision into display systems for real-time diagnostics and automation feedback.

Real-World Industrial Touchscreen Applications

New touchscreen technologies are already being deployed across industries:

• Automated kiosks and vending systems with vandal-resistant PCAP touchscreens.
• Transport and logistics control panels with wide-temperature, sunlight-readable displays.
• Medical diagnostic equipment using high-resolution, multi-touch interfaces with antimicrobial coatings.
• Factory automation systems using rugged, glove-friendly touchscreens integrated into HMIs.

BVM Touchscreen Integration & Display Enhancement Services

At BVM, we offer end‑to‑end Touchscreen Integration and Display Enhancement Services, tailored specifically for industrial and embedded applications. Whether you’re customising a TFT/LCD module or building a full HMI system, we deliver expert support through:

• Touchscreen integration using projected capacitive (pCAP), resistive, IR, or infrared technologies suited to your environment.
• Optical bonding, coupled with anti‑glare or anti‑reflective coatings to boost sunlight readability, reduce reflections, prevent condensation, and improve durability in harsh conditions.
• Custom hardware support including LVDS and backlight cable manufacture, FPC tail positioning, bespoke controller or firmware design, and even custom chassis or bezel designs.

Leveraging a manufacturer-neutral approach, BVM helps you choose the ideal display technology – whether TN, MVA, IPS or others – based on factors like viewing angle, brightness, contrast, and environment. We also support long-term availability planning, including EOL management and forward-compatible sizing and connectors

Contact Us for Expert Industrial Display Solutions

At BVM, we have over 35 years of experience supplying, designing, and manufacturing Industrial and Embedded Computing hardware, including rugged displays, panel PCs, and touchscreen solutions for demanding environments.

Contact our knowledgeable sales team to discuss your industrial computing requirements:
📞 01489 780144 or 📧 sales@bvmltd.co.uk

Whether you’re planning a new project or upgrading existing systems, we’re here to help.