Solving Industrial GUI Design Challenges with the i.MX 9x Series: Performance, Security, and Real-Time Control

In industrial applications, the GUI (Graphical User Interface), also referred to as an HMI (Human Machine Interface), acts as a bridge between users and machines. It is only through GUIs that operators can monitor, control, and interact with complex industrial processes and applications. Well, you may say that the role of GUIs is the same everywhere; however, the most significant difference between an industrial and consumer product is that of safety concerns. Mistakes in industrial software can have a much greater impact compared to mistakes in consumer products.

Designing GUIs for industrial devices requires a careful balance of clarity, responsiveness, and safety. Interfaces must present critical information at a glance, offer real-time feedback, and respond within milliseconds—enabling fast and accurate user actions, particularly in high-stakes scenarios. To reduce cognitive load, UI/UX design must emphasize visual hierarchy and intuitive navigation to prevent errors and support quick decision-making.

In addition, the GUI must adapt to hardware platforms/boards. If running on resource-constrained hardware, the GUI must be optimized for performance as well as for low latency. GUIs designed for industrial applications also need to meet HMI standards like ISA-101 and protocols like Modbus and OPC UA, which further adds to design complexity. Adding to the challenge is the need for durability in rugged environments while maintaining reliability and consistent performance.

This is where Variscite’s i.MX 9 System on Module (SoM) series proves valuable. Built to support modern industrial applications, these modules enable scalable, user-friendly HMIs with real-time performance and robust connectivity through USB, PCIe, and Ethernet—ideal for serving as communication nodes in demanding control and monitoring systems.

1. Real-time responsiveness

Industrial HMIs must deliver near-instant responsiveness. In high-stakes environments like manufacturing, energy, or process control, even microsecond delays can result in missed alarms, unsafe operator actions, or system failures. In these real-time deployments, where every moment counts and responsiveness is critical, the interface must react instantly to maintain both operational efficiency and safety.

The i.MX 9 series addresses these demands with a heterogeneous architecture— combining high-performance Arm Cortex-A55 cores for application processing with a dedicated Cortex-M33 core for real-time control—enabling responsive, reliable HMIs in a single, compact SoC.

2. Graphic performance and power consumption

In industrial applications, control panels need smooth, high-resolution graphics to support intuitive user interfaces and low-latency performance to ensure safety and operational efficiency. They also require low power consumption to minimize heat, extend device lifespan, and enable fanless or battery-powered operation. Traditionally, achieving all this has been a significant challenge, often requiring compromises in either graphical performance or energy efficiency.

The Variscite i.MX 9 series offers a strong balance of graphics performance and power efficiency for industrial applications. With support for power-efficient GPUs for 2D/3D graphics and up to 4K video, the i.MX 93/95 can handle advanced HMIs and edge interfaces smoothly. At the same time, its low-power architecture ensures reliable operation in fanless, thermally constrained environments, making it ideal for energy-sensitive industrial systems.

3. Long-term support and software stability

Unlike consumer devices, industrial equipment operates for 10-15 years, requiring a robust, secure, and maintainable software stack. Frequent updates or platform changes can be costly and disruptive, especially in safety-critical environments.

The i.MX 9 series is built for longevity, backed by NXP’s 15+ year product availability commitment. With mainline Linux and Yocto Project support, it ensures a robust and maintainable software foundation. Its compatibility with advanced GUI development tools like Crank Storyboard further accelerates development and future-proofs the HMI stack across long product lifespans.

4. Harsh industrial environment and security needs

Devices built for industrial environments are often deployed in harsh and demanding conditions, requiring systems that can withstand extreme temperatures, resist environmental stress, and operate continuously with high reliability. These devices must also be secure, as connected systems face increasing cyber threats.

The Variscite i.MX 93 System on Module (SoM) is engineered to meet these demands, supporting a wide operating temperature range of -40°C to 80°C. With built-in features like EdgeLock Secure Enclave, secure boot, and TrustZone technology, it delivers both resilience and security—making it an ideal choice for edge processing in industrial gateways, control systems, and HMI displays.

5. Scalable UI/UX across devices

Companies increasingly strive for a unified user experience across product lines. Reusing core components and avoiding the need to start from scratch with each new device not only accelerates development but also significantly reduces time and cost to market.

Variscite SoMs like the DART-MX95 and VAR-SOM-MX93 offer pin-compatible options, allowing teams to scale and migrate easily across screen sizes and hardware platforms. This reduces development time, minimizes risk, and lowers costs for both new launches and updates.

Effective HMI design in industrial environments requires upfront planning, including hardware selection, interface structure, and user interaction flow. By incorporating design best practices, such as clear screen hierarchy and built-in user feedback, developers can create responsive UIs that boost operator productivity and decision-making.

Choosing the right GUI tool and collaborating with experts early in development are essential. In high-stakes industrial settings, real-time insights delivered through the interface directly support safety and efficiency.

As an authorized Variscite GUI design partner, Crank helps industrial teams bring robust, intuitive UIs to life, accelerating digital transformation and operational efficiency.

• Import directly from design tools like Figma, Photoshop, and Sketch.
• Empower developers with an animation timeline view to preview and fine-tune UIs effortlessly.
• Add behavior to graphics without coding.
• Comprehensive component library with a list of ready-to-deploy components.
• Ensure the optimal performance of UIs with Validator – our GUI design testing framework.
• Real-time resource monitoring and optimization for target-specific embedded performance.
• Reduce your overall costs with a smaller footprint and reusable GUI components for other products and devices.
• Get assistance from a dedicated team of experts.

Distinctive yet user-friendly UIs

To ensure safety and efficiency in industrial settings, machines require thoughtfully designed HMIs. As a result, more companies are turning to UI/UX experts to help create intuitive, next-generation interfaces. However, translating a designer’s vision into a fully functional HMI can be both complex and time-consuming.

Crank’s GUI design and development tool, Storyboard, simplifies the transition from design to development by allowing teams to directly import assets from tools like Figma, Photoshop, and Sketch. This eliminates the need to manually rebuild designs, enabling designers and developers to collaborate more effectively and accelerate the development process. Once a UI is finalized, its components—layouts, icons, and interactions—are used as a foundation within Storyboard, preserving design intent and precision. This approach streamlines HMI development for low-power, resource-constrained devices that can be based on i.MX 93 and i.MX 95 SoMs.

Faster iteration process

Storyboard enables rapid iteration of HMIs by allowing developers to reimport updated designs without disrupting development workflows. This is especially valuable when last-minute changes are needed, ensuring the updates can be implemented quickly without impacting timelines.

Storyboard also features an integrated testing framework, empowering developers to evaluate UI performance early and often. By catching issues sooner, teams reduce the risk of costly rework later in the cycle.

Together, these capabilities streamline UI development, essential in fast-paced development scenarios where systems must evolve quickly and reliably.

Future-proofing through reusable GUI applications

Beyond being intuitive, HMIs for industrial devices often need to scale with evolving operational demands. A future-ready UI application requires adaptability—achieved through reusable components, rigorous testing, and a flexible architecture. This approach helps teams integrate new features efficiently while minimizing redevelopment time and cost.

Crank’s Storyboard supports scalable development with a library of prebuilt, reusable components that accelerate deployment across different hardware and product lines. Updates to a single component can propagate across all instances, reducing maintenance effort. Reusable test cases further streamline validation and future enhancements.

Additionally, applications developed on one Variscite platform can be more easily migrated to another, whether for increased performance or cost optimization. This compatibility simplifies hardware upgrades or variant launches, preserving UI investments while enabling faster time-to-market.

Engineering and design services

From modernizing industrial applications with intuitive graphical user interfaces to delivering expert graphic design and embedded system development, Crank offers comprehensive engineering services tailored to the needs of Variscite’s customers. These services focus on enhancing the user experience – crucial in industrial environments where safety, usability, and efficiency are paramount.

An effective industrial GUI must balance innovative UX design with practical functionality. That’s why it’s essential to build interfaces correctly from the start, ensuring they’re user-friendly, visually coherent, and optimized for information management and operational safety.

To learn more about designing and developing effective user experiences, watch this webinar with Crank Software and Variscite.