From Shop Floor to Cloud: Why Winmate’s Next-Generation HMIs Are More Than Just Panel PCs
Back in the mid-1990s, when the very first panel PCs reached the market, they were little more than bulky steel boxes fitted with dim, resistive touchscreens. Inside, 386- or 486-based CPU boards struggled to draw even the most elementary SCADA mimics, and any form of intelligent process control was simply out of the question. In essence, they served as passive “digital indicators” — nothing more.
Today, panel PCs serve as full-fledged production command centers, able to autonomously capture, process, and analyze data from the line and even predict the likelihood of malfunctions or equipment failure. Winmate goes a step further. In its latest models the company is not merely boosting raw performance; it is laying the groundwork for autonomous manufacturing.
By outfitting systems such as the W24IK7T-PCA3 series with 12th-generation Intel® Core™ processors, embedding native 5G and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, and housing units like the R19IK7T-SPT1 in hygienic, IP69K-rated stainless-steel enclosures, Winmate elevates the panel PC from a simple operator terminal to a versatile edge-computing platform.
Most importantly, Winmate is not just adding “muscle” to its devices; it is preparing the next evolutionary step—endowing them with native intelligence via Edge AI. This capability will allow panel PCs to autonomously analyze conveyor video streams, predict equipment failures, and make real-time decisions without human intervention. And this is no futuristic speculation; it is an actionable roadmap built on three solid pillars:
- Firstly, Winmate already possesses a proven technology stack for building high-performance, AI-ready computing platforms. The company manufactures rugged, fanless embedded PCs such as the IV32 series , powered by the same Alder Lake processors that drive its flagship panel PCs. Engineered to handle sustained heavy loads in harsh industrial environments, these systems provide an ideal foundation for machine-vision workloads and on-device neural networks. The presence of such powerful “brain centers” in Winmate’s portfolio confirms its deep expertise in thermal management and high-performance computing. Integrating this horsepower directly into the panel-PC form factor is no longer a question of feasibility; it is the next evolutionary step already in motion.
- Secondly, the foundation for AI has already been embedded in Winmate’s current flagship panel PCs. The wholesale migration to 11th- and 12th-generation Intel® Core™ processors—found in stainless-steel lines such as the W22IT3S-SPA3-R and in rugged tablets—is far more than a MHz race. These CPUs integrate Intel® Deep Learning Boost (DL Boost) instructions that deliver hardware-level acceleration for AI inference. Consequently, even without a dedicated Vision Processing Unit (VPU), a new Winmate panel PC can efficiently handle machine-vision or predictive-analytics workloads using only the host CPU. Compute horsepower is no longer the bottleneck.
- Thirdly, the company’s entire strategy targets markets where AI is the primary lever of efficiency. Winmate actively positions its solutions for Smart Factory and AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) deployments, where a panel PC must evolve from a passive display into an active edge node that autonomously inspects product quality via video, analyzes equipment vibration to predict failures, and orchestrates robotic manipulators. Platforms such as the Winmate W22IAD7T-GPA3 , equipped with high-end CPUs and—critically—discrete NVIDIA GPUs, are purpose-built for these missions. By focusing on such use cases, Winmate makes its development trajectory clear: to transform the panel PC from a visualization terminal into an autonomous, thinking asset on the factory floor.
Thus, Winmate’s latest panel-PC families—such as the FM14AD-V —are built on the revolutionary 12th-generation Intel® Core™ (Alder Lake) architecture. This is far more than a routine refresh; it is a step change that brings workstation-class computing power into a rugged, fanless enclosure ready for the harshest shop-floor conditions. By combining a hybrid CPU design, powerful integrated graphics, and state-of-the-art wireless connectivity, these systems let engineers and system integrators tackle tasks that only yesterday required several discrete devices. Winmate’s HMI panels thereby evolve from ordinary visualization terminals into both an edge-computing data gateway and an intelligent node capable of autonomous, on-site decision-making.
What’s New in Winmate’s Alder Lake Panel-PC Generation?
The headline super-power of Winmate’s latest panel PCs is their intelligent blend of top-tier computing performance with rock-solid industrial reliability. Tasks that once demanded a separate box-style industrial PC—machine vision, on-premise data analytics, and the like—can now be handled directly by the HMI panel itself. This leap has been enabled by several key innovations:
Hybrid architecture of Intel® Alder Lake processors. This processor family is the first in the industrial segment to employ two core types: performance cores (P-cores) and efficient cores (E-cores).
-
P-cores (Performance cores)
are intended for resource-intensive single-thread tasks—that is, workloads requiring significant computing power and memory and that cannot be split across multiple CPU cores (for example, rendering a complex SCADA interface on a large screen or performing initial processing of data from high-speed cameras). A good example is the Winmate W27IAD3S-PCA1 panel PC, where this architecture makes it possible to display a sophisticated SCADA interface on a large screen, handle high-speed camera streams, or run local machine-learning algorithms. - “E-cores” (Efficient cores) are optimised for multi-threaded background tasks. They take care of routine operations such as OS services, sensor polling, and maintaining network connections. This division of labour guarantees low latency even under heavy system load. An example is the industrial panel PC Winmate W27IAD7T-GPA1 , equipped with an Intel Core i7-12700TE; here, the energy-efficient cores continuously process data from numerous industrial sensors and keep network links stable. Such off-loading keeps the high-performance P-cores free for critical AI and data-processing tasks without delays—crucial for automated systems where every millisecond counts.
Next-generation graphics and extended connectivity. The new panel PCs integrate Intel® Iris® Xe graphics, delivering a substantial performance uplift over previous generations. Operators can render smooth, high-resolution visuals and drive multiple independent displays to create full-featured control stations. The real breakthrough, however, is the adoption of cutting-edge communication standards:
- Wi-Fi 6E: Operation in the dedicated 6 GHz band minimizes interference from co-located equipment, a critical advantage in RF-noisy industrial plants, and ensures ultra-low latency, rock-stable wireless links.
- 5G: On-board 5G support opens the door to private 5G deployments, providing high throughput and secure connectivity for mobile assets (e.g., forklift terminals) or remote installations.
- Bluetooth 5.2: Streamlines pairing with peripherals such as barcode scanners, sensors, and headsets.
Key Series and Their Applications
The new architecture has been adopted across several core Winmate panel-PC families, each targeting a specific area of industrial automation. WxxxIK7T-PCA3 Series (Multi-touch Panel PC) — the primary workhorse for Smart Manufacturing. For example, the W43IF7T-PCA3 is a classic 43-inch panel computer for cabinet or console mounting, yet it hides unprecedented computing power inside. It is ideally suited to operate as the central control terminal of a production line, where simultaneous SCADA visualisation, MES data acquisition and even local video monitoring are required.
Processor
- Intel® Core™ i3/i5/i7 9th Generation (Coffee Lake Refresh). Available configurations:
- Intel Core i7-9700TE 1.8 GHz (up to 3.8 GHz)
- Intel Core i5-9500TE 2.2 GHz (up to 3.6 GHz) (optional)
- Intel Core i3-9100TE 2.2 GHz (up to 3.2 GHz) (optional)
Graphics
- Integrated GPU (e.g., Intel® UHD Graphics for 9th Gen). Supports multiple displays: 1 × DP 1.2 and 1 × HDMI 1.4 (optional).
Connectivity
- 2 × Intel® Ethernet Controller, RJ-45 10/100/1000 LAN — guaranteed speed and reliability
- M.2 slot for Wi-Fi / other expansion modules
Protection
- IP65 front bezel, fanless cooling — built for harsh industrial environments.
Operating System
- Windows 10 IoT Enterprise — secure, long-term-supported platform.
Applications
- Industry 4.0 operator terminal: simultaneous SCADA runtime, MES client, and work-instruction display.
- Machine-vision interface: P-core performance is sufficient for on-panel image pre-processing.
- Edge gateway: collects and aggregates data from dozens of devices via Ethernet, then forwards it to the cloud over 5G / Wi-Fi.
Winmate RxxxIK7T-PCT3 Series is a family of industrial panel PCs designed for a wide range of in-built and mounted applications in demanding sectors. These computers combine industrial-grade durability with the performance of 7th-generation Intel® Core™ processors. The series is offered in several mounting variants:
- Open Frame
- Panel Mount
- Front-panel IP65 protection
This diversity ensures deployment flexibility across different production environments.For example: the Winmate R15IK7T-POC3 is a classic 15-inch open-frame panel PC with a metal chassis. Equipped with a 7th-generation Intel® Core™ i3/i5/i7 (Kaby Lake) processor, it provides ample power for operator terminals, monitoring systems, or information displays.
Processor
- 7th-Generation Intel® Core™ i3/i5/i7 (Kaby Lake)
- Intel® Core™ i7-7700T (2.9 GHz)
- Intel® Core™ i5-7500T (2.7 GHz)
- Intel® Core™ i3-7100T (3.4 GHz)
Graphics
- Integrated Intel® GPU
- Video outputs: DP 1.2 (up to 4096 × 2304 @ 60 Hz) and HDMI 1.4 (up to 4096 × 2304 @ 24 Hz)
Connectivity
- 2 × RJ-45 10/100/1000 Mbps LAN
- Intel® Ethernet Controller I211-AT
- Intel® Gigabit Ethernet PHY I219-LM
Protection & Mechanical
- Metal panel-frame housing
- Open-Frame construction for embedded integration
- Operating temperature: 0 °C – 50 °C
- Operating humidity: 10% – 90%, non-condensing
Operating System
- Compatible with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise
Typical Use Cases
- Integrated terminal for industrial machinery – ideal for embedding in machine tools, control panels, and automated systems.
- HMI panel for automation systems – offers operators an intuitive interface for process control and real-time monitoring.
- Information display or kiosk – with 250 nits brightness and 1024 × 768 resolution, suitable for production floors or public areas.
