Portable device with control unit

The invention relates to a device (1) with operating unit, wherein the operating unit comprises an operating element (6) for triggering a predetermined action and the operating member by a user's exerting force is mechanically beatigbar. The actuating element (6) is preferably a mechanically actuated switching and / or pushbutton element. In the actuating element (6), a touch sensor for detecting contact with the skin is integrated, which occurs due to the application of force to the mechanical actuation of the actuating element (6). The device is further designed such that it is checked as a requirement for triggering of the predetermined actions if the actuating element (6) is actuated and skin contact is detected by the touch sensor. The device (1) made possible by the combination of the touch sensor technology with a mechanically operable actuating element (6) an efficient protection against erroneous operations by ensuring that a mechanical actuating without skin contact does not trigger the predetermined action. The device can be designed as a portable unit, wherein via the actuating element z. As an emergency call is placed to a central control center. Such a device is used in particular for use by elderly or sick persons, and can report an emergency situation on the actuator quickly and easily. Another application of the device is its use in industrial installations, in particular as a controller for a building or for an automation system or for a power generation and / or power distribution system.