Innovative Uses
Anyone who’s used a smartphone has experience with capacitive touch devices. While capacitive technology is mature and affordable, there is still ample untapped potential, and innovative user interfaces that are coming to the market at a rapid pace.
Capacitive touch devices are generally considered to be the first touch screens, invented in the mid-1960s. However, it was resistive touch screens that became popular, particularly when touch technology took off in the 1990s.
Resistive screens and interfaces physically measure when pressure is applied to the surface, giving them excellent accuracy but requiring a significant amount of force to use.
Capacitive screens, which rely on the electrical properties of a finger to measure touches, came into prominence in the mid- to late-2000s. They initially featured somewhat poor accuracy but made up for it with easier detection of feather-light touches and gestures, such as swiping.
Although they won’t work with a heavily gloved finger and may require specialized styluses, capacitive technology revolutionized how touch devices were used, due to its performance and flexibility. Capacitive touch screens that are capable of detecting multiple touches simultaneously have become the norm.
Capacitive touch screens and buttons (areas of product that can sense touch) have made significant inroads in multiple industries over the years. Their low cost and high reliability mean they’ve replaced not only many of the knobs and buttons needed to operate devices, but also resistive screens. For example:
Appliances: Modern appliances contain plenty of electronics, and capacitive buttons enable soft-touch operation while reducing the number of mechanical components needed. They also stand up well to moisture and are easy to wipe clean.
Automobiles: Instead of relying on mechanical switches, knobs, and buttons, today’s cars often feature capacitive interfaces. Turning up the volume on your stereo is as easy as swiping a strip and adjusting the air conditioner can be done with a few taps instead of twisting a knob.
Lab Equipment: Equipment used in laboratories is often complex, and user interfaces need to route complex control interfaces to circuits and other components. By replacing more traditional control interfaces with capacitive touch interfaces, lab equipment manufacturers can simplify designs, saving on weight and space while creating a more intuitive interface.
Game Controllers: Gaming on smartphones uses capacitive screens, but some video game controllers, including those for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, use capacitance pads. The Steam Controller also used capacitive technology.
Industrial Machinery: We tend to think of large levers and other bulky control interfaces when we envision industrial machinery. Because modern machines rely so heavily on digital components, many devices now use capacitance interfaces for their ruggedness and easy maintenance.
Some of the benefits that make capacitive touch screens the preferred choice include:
Durability: The fact that even badly cracked smartphone screens still register touches well demonstrates the ruggedness of capacitance technology. This ruggedness makes it great for challenging environments that would quickly lead to damage with other types of interfaces. Additionally, dirt and fingerprint smudges won’t affect their function.
Improved Picture: Due to their use of a glass layer, capacitive touchscreen devices have an exceptional quality picture.
Rugged Housing: Additionally, capacitive devices make it easier to created rugged housing that’s able to withstand tough use. Even though steel levers and knobs are likely to withstand heavy use well, the mechanical devices behind them are prone to wear over time and require replacement. Perhaps best of all in some environments, capacitive elements can be completely sealed off. If dirt or sand is a concern, capacitive interfaces provide a level of protection not possible with other technologies. Furthermore, they can seal out moisture, protecting interior components.
Capacitive touch opens designers to a palette of options never before available, enabling the use of more intuitive controls. Traditionally, user interfaces were added to a device after its internals were developed. This often led to design compromises, both to the internals and the user interface. Capacitive interfaces, on the other hand, can generally be placed where they’re most convenient to use early in the design process.
For example, an older piece of lab equipment might have a centralized control panel where all operations are performed. If the operator has move to a different part of the machine to get readings, however, they might have to go back to the main control panel to make adjustments, leading to wasted time. By placing capacitive elements on different parts of the machine instead of using a centralized control panel, newer lab equipment can provide a smoother interface.
Aesthetic considerations matter as well, even on household appliances and other functional items. By turning to capacitive technology, companies can create their own identity, add style, and improve the design of their devices for markets where users are used to smart phones.
Future innovations will include flexible and roll-able devices, utilizing flexible screens.
The idea behind capacitive touch interfaces isn’t new, but its widespread implementation is. Due to the flexibility, reliability, and ruggedness enabled by capacitive devices, there will be more and better uses of capacitive touch screens utilized by multiple industries in the future.