Flexible, wearable devices star at Touch Taiwan

2014-08-29

Innovative display panels that are flexible, interactive and wearable will drive the next wave of growth in the global touch panel market, according to the Industrial Technology Research Institute Aug. 27.

Active-matrix organic light-emitting diode, or AMOLED, panels are set to be of crucial importance due to high flexibility and ultrathinness, the Hsinchu City-based research body said at the opening of this year’s three-day Touch Taiwan exhibition.

“We have developed AMOLED with on-cell touch technology that can be folded 10,000 times within a 7.5-millimeter radius,” ITRI Display Technology Center General Director Chen Jang-lin said.

ITRI’s less than 0.1-millimeter thick demonstration module is further enhanced with FlexUp technology for extra endurance as well as oxidation and water resistance, Chen said, adding that the innovative technology is a major breakthrough on the road to foldable tablets.

ITRI also showcased a smart eyewear prototype at the event. The device permits commands via contactless gesture recognition, allowing users to read and share information without touching the device.

Global sales of touch displays are expected to continue to grow robustly from US$31.4 billion in 2013 to US$43.7 billion in 2017, ITRI said. Applications are expected to expand from small handheld devices to a wide range of large products including TV.

Staged at Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall, Touch Taiwan is one of the biggest touch panel and optical film shows in the world, and the only one certified by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. This year’s show features more than 1,200 booths from over 350 exhibitors.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=221131&CtNode=413)