World’s First Touch Switch Controllers with Localised Haptic Feedback

Phil Black - PII Editor 12/12/2014

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Aito’s ATH22x devices use same piezo element to both sense touch and provide localised feedback

Aito BV, the leader in software enhanced piezo (SEP) touch control technology, today announced its ATH220 and ATH222 AitoHapticTouch Controllers, extending its established portfolio of touch control devices with parts that add localised haptic feedback. With these new devices, it is now possible to sense the touch of a finger on a flat panel surface and immediately confirm operation with a physical sensation created by haptic vibration. By using the same piezo element for both touch and feedback, the user is able to ‘feel’ the location of the touch switch. These latest controllers are being targeted at home appliances and mobile devices that can also benefit from the other advantages of Aito’s touch technology, such as the ability to work with metal surfaces and use seamless, sealed panels.

The ATH220 controller has 10 channels that allows for various combinations of piezo input and haptic, LED indicator and buzzer outputs, supporting a maximum of five haptic piezo touch buttons when configured without buzzer and LEDs. The ATH222 has 18 configurable channels allowing up to six haptic piezos, 5 LEDs and a buzzer simultaneously. Both devices have the ability to apply individually defined haptic, LED and audio feedback waveforms ensuring each touch key provides a distinct response. So, while it is possible to mimic the ‘click’ sound and feel of a mechanical button, more sophisticated responses can also be devised to communicate other control functions. In common with previous AitoTouch controllers, the ATH22x devices also enable different piezo sensing parameters to be set for each key – to determine sensitivity, detection area, and to cope with different overlay stiffness, materials or mechanical integration conditions.

“The AitoHapticTouch controller is aimed at manufacturers of equipment such as home appliances. Product managers, designers and engineers will be able to significantly enhance the user interface design of their consumer devices, making them more intuitive to operate and more fun to use”, said Peter Kurstjens, Aito’s Chief Executive Officer, “The user interface is an integral part of the complete product experience and a major aspect of brand identity, which is where the unparalleled performance of Aito’s unique, patented technology that allows touch keys with individual and localised haptic feedback to be implemented on almost any surface, enables significant differentiation.”

Aito’s technology will be on show at the consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, USA from 6-9 January 2015.

Additional Information
The ATH220 Datasheet and ATH222 Datasheet are available from Aito’s website along with further supporting documentation and development tools, including the ATH220 Evaluation Kit and ATH222 Evaluation Kit. The AitoTouch Demonstration Video illustrates the reliability of Aito’s SEP technology when used with gloved hands or when fluids or other contaminants cover the touch panel surface.