kiosk design
Pedal to the Mettle
Metal-mesh technology has the potential to dramatically improve kiosks using multi-touch AV displays .
By Dave Williams , 3M
Introduction Incorporating multi-touch displays in kiosk design has become increasingly commonplace . In allowing several people to engage with a wealth of content on the same screen simultaneously , it ’ s enabled a far richer customer experience . The supporting technology has also evolved a great deal , with each new generation bringing its own benefits . The latest – project capacitive ( PCAP ) using a metal-mesh conductor – takes the viewing experience and design flexibility to a whole new level . With growing interest from kiosk firms , it ’ s creating a real stir in the AV industry .
While compelling content is essential , so is the user experience provided by the hardware itself . However , metal-mesh technology is not just another step in multi-touch AV ’ s development : as people within the industry are increasingly concurring , it ’ s set to be the foundation for systems and displays for many years to come . The algorithms on which the technology is based are scalable and able to support future AV formats , not just 2K-4K . Due to its newness , many people in the kiosk industry are either not really aware of metal-mesh or have limited access to the essential facts . 3M is working on a variety of information sources that will help users , designers and systems integrators going forward , but here is a quick summary of the technology ’ s main features .
The Essential Facts
• The Potential of PCAP PCAP was introduced a few years ago and provided a bezel-free robust design that could perform well in low lighting conditions . However ,
PCAP used Indium Tin Oxide ( ITO ), which is renowned for its ability to support transparent electrodes , but has limitations in terms of larger display formats and the number of simultaneous touch points ( for instance , the new systems and displays from 3M can support up to 80 simultaneous touch points ). Traditional PCAP cannot support non-planar design , meaning that it is not suitable for the growing demand for curved screens .
• Metal-Mesh Has Evolved Some readers may be aware that metal-mesh technology has , in fact , been around for a few years , but early versions suffered from the mesh being visible to the naked eye , as well as experiencing a moiré effect . With scientists at 3M developing new
46 KIOSK solutions