Panasonic to Start the Mass-Production of the Highly Sensitive Curved Touch Panel That Enables Operation while Wearing Gloves

Panasonic Corporation today announced that it will start the mass-production of the capacitive-type, highly sensitive, multi-touch capable automotive curved touch panel at the end of September 2015. The panels can enhance the design flexibility of vehicle cockpits and the operability of the panels of car navigation systems and, in addition, are suitable for the screens of many different products including display audio systems.

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This touch panel has the following advantages:

1. The curved touch panel in which a plastic cover panel and highly sensitive film sensors are integrated can enhance the design flexibility of vehicle cockpits.
   - The capability of accommodating openings in which input switches can be easily mounted will contribute to the simplification of the customer's design.
2. The highly sensitive film sensors allow for operations while wearing gloves, and multi-touch operations, contributing to the enhancement of the operability.
3. High visibility and reliability suitable for automotive use have been achieved.

Many mobile devices including smartphones and tablets use a capacitive touch panel that can realize swift operations. In automotive use, where the same level of usability is also required to car navigation systems and display audio systems, the adoption rate of capacitive touch panels has been increasing. In vehicle cockpits, however, great importance is placed on the design flexibility, which has led to the requests for curved touch panels that can be used in center consoles and instrument panels. In addition, there have been requests for the supply in the form of touch panels with an embedded cover panel, rather than discrete touch panels, to improve the design efficiency. In response to such requests, Panasonic will start the mass-production of capacitive-type curved touch panels that can enhance the design flexibility of vehicle cockpits and the operability at the same time.

The key specifications of this touch panel are as follows:

[Key specifications]
Item				Specification
Optical characteristics		Transmittance		88 to 90% (typ.)
		Reflectance (λ=550 nm)		6% (typ.) Low-reflection types are also available
Reliability		Moisture resistance		60°C / 93%, RH / 1000 hours
		Heat resistance		85°C 1000 hours
		Cold resistance		-40°C 1000 hours
		Thermal shock resistance		Tested for a 1000-cycle test between -40°C and 85°C
Accuracy of position (readout accuracy of touched positions)				± 2 mm
Durability				Durable for impressions at 2.45 N with a silicone rubber (tip R3.75, hardness 10 to 20°) for one million times or more
Insulation resistance				10 MΩ or more
Input method				Multi-screen touch and gesture inputs
Supported sizes				5 to 12 inches
Surface treatment and design flexibility of the cover panel				Anti-glare type or clear (transparent) type is selectable Fingerprint resistance can be added Decoration in black and printing of smoked transparent characters are supported

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, enterprise solutions and device industries. Since its founding in 1918, the company has expanded globally and now operates 468 subsidiaries and 94 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.715 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2015. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers. To learn more about Panasonic: http://www.panasonic.com/global.

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Contact information

Public Relations Department
Panasonic Corporation
Tel: +81-(0)3-3574-5664
Fax: +81-(0)3-3574-5699
Panasonic News Bureau
Tel: +81-(0)3-3542-6205
Fax: +81-(0)3-3542-9018