Capacitive Switching System Takes to the Skies

The company makes stylish, easy to use seat, entertainment and environmental controls which add to the passenger’s in-flight experience.

WASP has used a conventional printed graphic overlay which is used together with a new electronics design to operate the switch via the user’s natural body capacitance. This means no mechanical failures as there is no mechanical movement in the switches.

Operation is detected by Qprox, a capacitive sensor developed by the Quantum Research Group, which scans the translucent material directly beneath the front panel. Projecting these ‘sensing fields’ through dielectric material makes the panels extremely robust. The same system can be used to create touch screen operation and enable the use of a stylus or other pointing device. Switching sensitivity is easily adjusted and the front layer is ‘wipe clean’.

By using this technology to overcome local environmental conditions which normally disrupt switching, WASP has also been able to use a variety of modern materials and the latest lighting technologies to create stunning effects.