As the industry advances toward automation, one critical link is often overlooked: the operator. This presentation explores how the shift to electrohydraulic systems opens new possibilities for smarter, safer, and more intuitive machine control - if we design with the human in mind. By combining a technical overview of electric-over-hydraulic systems with real-world insights into HMI design, we’ll show how putting the operator at the center of innovation can reduce error, increase productivity, and future-proof mobile equipment. Smart HMI isn’t just a UX upgrade - it’s a strategic enabler for the next generation of hydraulic performance.