Pressure Sensors / Detectors / Transducers
Cyclists Benefit from All-Weather Kiosks Employing Zytronic Touch Sensing Technology
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Rugged projected capacitive touch sensors deployed in Japanese self-service bike rental stations.
Zytronic's proprietary Projected Capacitive Technology (PCT™) has become synonymous with providing the highest levels of robustness in unsupervised touchscreen implementations. The company has now announced that its innovative and proven interactive technology, through its Japanese distribution partner, Minato Electronics, been specified for a new outdoor, public-use application. Bike sharing pioneer Pedal LTD. has begun integrating PCT touch sensors into its environmentally-friendly Inter Street rental kiosks, allowing riders to select and hire a bike in a quick and easy manner.
The Inter Street systems are already in the process of being installed throughout Kawagoe city, close to Tokyo. Thanks to the rugged, high performance touch functionality provided by Zytronic, their user interfaces provide year round, reliable outdoor operation, as well as an accurate and fast touch response. Each rental kiosk has a 12-inch customized ZYBRID touch sensor, linked to a Zytronic ZXY100 touch controller using its latest ASIC for improved signal to noise performance. This highly successful, widely-used Zytronic product was chosen over alternative touchscreen technologies because of the high degree of reliability it can deliver in even in the most demanding environments.
Applicable to sizes reaching 82-inches or more, PCT sensors consists of an XY matrix of ultra-thin (10µm diameter) copper capacitor elements embedded into a laminated substrate. The resulting touchscreens function in extreme weather conditions, and are virtually immune to most forms of accidental and deliberate damage that unattended self-service terminals are regularly subject to. In contrast, touchscreen technologies that are reliant on front mounted or surface based detection methods have considerable drawbacks in such applications. Resistive and surface capacitive touch sensors, for example, are susceptible to scratches as well as general wear and tear, while optical and infrared technologies require an exposed (and therefore vulnerable) front-mounted bezel to house the transmitting and receiving touch detection electronics.
"Increased reliance on bicycles as a mode of transport clearly has many advantages. It eases of traffic congestion in urban areas and lowers carbon emissions, as well as contributing to a healthier society by encouraging people to exercise more regularly. Our bike rental system empowers this by giving both tourists and commuters greater access to the necessary resources," states Hiroshi Hirao, CEO, Pedal LTD "The units needs to be able to cope with the rigors of day-to-day use, while also having sleek, attractive exteriors. We could see that through engaging with Zytronic we would be able to satisfy these key design goals."
"Zytronic touch sensors have been utilized successfully in bike rental kiosks located in London, UK, Montreal, Canada, Melbourne, Australia and other cities. Adding Japan to this list represents another significant endorsement for our proprietary projected capacitive touch technology. As the Pedal LTD. systems are sited in unattended outdoor locations, they will be continuously exposed to the elements, as well as facing the rigors of heavy use and potential damage," asserts Ian Crosby, Sales Marketing Director for Zytronic. "Choosing PCT helps to ensure 24/7 availability of the system whatever the season, avoiding costly and embarrassing periods of downtime for the operator."
About Zytronic
Zytronic is the developer and manufacturer of a unique range of internationally award-winning touch sensor products. These products employ an embedded sensing element and are based around projected capacitive technology (PCT™) sensing. PCT offers significant durability, environmental stability and optical enhancement benefits to system designers of touch interactive, industrial, self - service and public access equipment. During 2012, Zytronic developed new know-how to create mutual projected capacitive technology (MPCT™), which enables multi-user and multi touch sensing in ultra large form factor sizes up to 84".
Zytronic products are used in electronic displays for self service and information systems, ATMs and gaming machines, as well as by military, computer, telecommunications and medical OEMs, and are available from its network of worldwide distributors. The company has its headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Blaydon, Tyne & Wear in the UK. In addition to ISO-approved manufacturing, these facilities are home to Zytronic's team of lamination, material science and electronics specialists who are responsible for ongoing product development in composite technology.
For more company information, visit Zytronic's web site at www.zytronic.co.uk.
About Pedal LTD:
Founded in 2009, Pedal LTD is a specialist in the manufacture of advanced bicycle-sharing systems. The company offers a total solution from system development right through to final deployment. For further information visit: www.pedal.co.jp.
Contact details for editorial enquiries:
Sheila Dean
Zytronic
Whiteley Road, Blaydon on Tyne
Tyne & Wear
NE21 5NJ, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 191 414 5511Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Fax: +44 (0) 191 414 0545
Email: sheila.dean@zytronic.co.uk
Contact details for sales enquiries and regional representatives:
Asia - http://www.zytronic.co.uk/how-to-buy/sales-channel-partners/asia-pacific/
Americas - http://www.zytronic.co.uk/how-to-buy/sales-channel-partners/americas/
EMEA - http://www.zytronic.co.uk/how-to-buy/sales-channel-partners/europe-middle-east-and-africa/
Contact details for Minato Electronic:
Jun Yamaguchi
Minato Electronic
4105,Minami Yamada-cho
Tsuzuki-ku,Yokohama 224-0026,Japan
Tel:+81-45-592-5546Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Fax:+81-45-591-9389
Email: touch@minato.co.jp
Contact details for Pedal Ltd:
Hiroshi Hirao
Pedal Ltd,
Minamiwatarida No.1 Keihin Building 2F
210-0855, Kawasaki-shi
Kanagawa-ku, Kawasaki-cho, Japan
Tel:+81-44-328-7531Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Fax:+81-44-328-7532
Email: hirao@pedal.co.jp
Ref: ZY398/A
