Electronics

Displax 'skin' turns virtually any surface into multi-touch display

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A 50-inch display is able to detect up to sixteen fingers simultaneously
The Displax multi-touch skin detects both touch and breath
The Displax skin can be applied to glass, wood and plastic
Displax - thinner than paper
A 50-inch display is able to detect up to sixteen fingers simultaneously
The skin has a size dimension ranging from anywhere between seven inches and three full meters diagonally
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One doesn’t have to look very far these days to see the ever increasing prevalence and popularity of multi-touch technology and the additional interaction it offers the consumer. Opening up an even bigger world of potential interactive possibilities is Portuguese company Displax, which has announced the development of a “skin” that can turn virtually any surface into a multi-touch display.

Based on capacitive technology, the “skin” is developed on a thinner-than-paper polymer film that turns a surface, be it glass, plastic or wood, curved or flat, into an interactive touch screen display.

The technology works by a grid of nanowires placed throughout the film recognizing touch screen interactivity. These input signals are then passed to a microprocessor controller that analyzes the data and determines the exact location where the contact took place.

The hypersensitive lightweight “skin” features air movement detection as well as touch sensitivity, so will, for what is thought to be the first time, react to a user blowing on it, registering both the intensity and direction of the air flow.

Displax - thinner than paper

So far the “skin” has a size dimension ranging from anywhere between seven inches and three full meters diagonally, and with a transparency rate of 98%, you can still see the surface underneath. At present a 50-inch display is able to detect up to sixteen fingers simultaneously.

While Displax initially began developing the multi-touch technology for use by manufacturers of LCD screens, the future potential uses are many and varied. Aside from audio visual integration through projection displays and enhanced gaming possibilities, the ability to cover bigger areas could see the technology used in a host of commercial environments, both in and outdoors.

Displax is expected to start shipping the multi-touch “skin” towards the middle of the year.

View gallery - 5 images
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4 comments
Eric Townsend
I can totally envision a booming economy in Displax wallpaper for homes and offices. Imagine turning an entire wall into whatever you want! Cool...
Facebook User
This new \'skin\' seems so great, but how durable is it? How long will it last? Is it easy to fix or does it require you to buy a whole new one?
soccer
nice technology it will change the whole look of our homes, welcome the sapce age ):
citizenchan
This post is not properly worded. Displax skin is not a \"display\" as stated: \"can turn virtually any surface into a multi-touch display.\" IT should read \"multi-touch surface.\" Huge Difference.
It is merely a touch-sensitive (and wind sensitive) film which can be placed over other materials.
The Displax site even says the material is completely transparent so it does not interfere with the display behind - hence, no display properties/capabilities inherent in the material.
Pretty useless unless it\'s paired with a display of some sort, or coupled with other new techology that has not yet proliferated consumer markets.