New touchless UI solution for safe and hygienic touchscreens

GTK has partnered with TouchNetix, a UK-based technology company, to provide this solution. The aXiom IC developed by TouchNetix allows the touchscreen sensor to detect a user’s hand some distance from the screen.

Combined with GTK’s range of displays, this results in a touchless user interface that can be applied to any colour display technology. The touchscreens can be used intuitively by holding the finger about 5-6cm away from the screen and using several different gestures, the same as those used with traditional capacitive touchscreens, such as tapping, flicking and swiping.

Clive Dickinson, Business Manager for displays at GTK, said: “This is a game changer in the world of displays. There are so many consumer and industrial applications where touchscreens are used by multiple users and COVID-19 has changed the way people feel about using shared devices. It’s easy to think of everyday applications where this technology will offer users a safe and hygienic way of using machines. Payment terminals, ticketing machines, clocking in machines and lifts are used by so many people in rapid succession every single day, and this technology can makes them safer.

“It can be used with colour and mono displays, and OEMs can customise their UI to use a combination of different gestures that best suit their end application. The touchscreens can also still be used in traditional touch format if required.”

John Morath, Managing Director of GTK, stated: “We are delighted to be working with TouchNetix and there is a great deal of synergy between our two companies. This touchless UI solution will revolutionise the way displays are used in the post-pandemic world.”

GTK’s technical experts can provide guidance to engineers on choice of display and connectivity solution for their new product designs and can assist in incorporating this touchless solution into their UI.