Readers demonstrate enthusiasm for the CM5-RHMI, a cost-effective and flexible headless HMI with remote connectivity, advanced functionality, and a compact footprint.

AutomationDirect’s C-more CM5-RHMI has been announced as the 2025 Silver winner of Control Engineering’s Product of the Year program in the human-machine interface (HMI) category. Check out the award announcement here! Control Engineering subscribers determine the winners of this honor by voting on deserving products that demonstrate technological innovation, industry service, and market impact.
Most traditional HMIs incorporate embedded touchscreen displays, impacting their size, installation flexibility, and cost. That’s where the CM5-RHMI comes in—a headless HMI that eschews a built-in display in favor of a user-supplied external display or remote connectivity.

By forgoing an embedded display, the CM5-RHMI offers powerful functionality at a lower price point, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to upgrade their automation systems without breaking the bank. Thanks to its compact footprint, this device is easier to install and can fit into tighter spaces than comparable HMIs with an embedded display.
The CM5-RHMI can be easily connected to any HDMI-compatible display, including televisions, monitors, projectors, and more. This means users are no longer limited to specific display sizes or types, and they can easily change displays if needed. The display can even be located at a distance from the HMI, keeping personnel aware of critical events from lunchrooms, boardrooms, control rooms, or any other important location.
Additionally, the CM5-RHMI allows for remote HMI access via web browser or mobile app, granting the freedom to monitor and control automation systems from anywhere, at any time, and allowing users to forgo a local display entirely if desired. Despite its compact size, the CM5-RHMI boasts a variety of standard and state-of-the-art features, including integrated USB ports, serial ports, and Ethernet ports, as well as advanced trending, data storage, and communication capabilities.
The CM5 series, including the CM5-RHMI, is built on the foundation of the time-tested C-more family of HMIs. This means you can trust that your CM5-RHMI will deliver reliable, industry-approved performance, with powerful features like:
- Advanced trending and data analysis
- Faster communication and increased file type capabilities
- Support for all major communication protocols
- FREE programming software to aid in project creation and validation
The CM5-RHMI is a clear favorite of users seeking greater flexibility, functionality, and cost-effectiveness in their automation systems. Winning the Control Engineering Product of the Year Silver Award demonstrates a broad base of support from publication subscribers operating across the industry. End users everywhere are discovering that in many cases, breaking free from the restrictions of embedded displays is worthwhile—because sometimes, less truly is more.
Find out more about the innovative C-more CM5-RHMI at https://www.automationdirect.com/c-more/cm5/cm5-headless-hmi .