The novel invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling one or more machines or a production cell with repeatable sequences using a machine controller, and to an operating unit in the form of a man-machine interface (MMI). The novel invention proposes making at least some of the operative control inputs for machine movement using haptic keys which can be programmed for their function and are applied to a screen and/or tactile touchscreen keys which can be seen and sensed, for example with an edge which can be sensed, with a respective associated screen field. The operator is thus provided with a guide function for operation, whether by the fact that he haptically senses the keystroke, for example via snap domes, or by the fact that he only tactually feels an edge around the screen key.