ST enables Neonode to add touch interaction to any object or space

     The advanced chip from STMicroelectronics is used by optical sensor technology company Neonode to develop the new zForceAIRTM touch module. The compact, low-power, easy-to-use Neonode Touch module adds touch interaction to any USB or I2C connected device, supporting any type of screen or surface, including steel, wood, plastic, glass, skin, and even no surface to detect touch interaction in mid-air. This innovative approach uses laser infrared to track touch or gesture controlled actions while offering millimeter-level accuracy and ultra-fast response. Non-visible light does not affect the display quality, nor does it increase flicker or change color.

     The new Neonode family of touch sensors uses ST's programmable mixed Signal Custom System on Chip (SoC) and STM32Arm 8 Cortex@microcontroller to control scanning laser diodes and IR beams to determine the exact position and movement of fingers, hands or other reflective objects in the optical path, enabling simultaneous tracking of multiple objects. And precisely converted into touch actions or gestures, coordinate forwarding rate up to 500 times per second, with almost no delay.

     AndreasBunge, Chief Executive Officer of Neonode, said: "ST's leading chip design capabilities and manufacturing processes allow us to develop an innovative high-performance, highly complex yet cost-competitive optical sensor system. The advanced mixed-signal system chip and STM32 microcontroller that are the core components of our new zForceAIR module are the perfect combination of real-time touch accuracy, low power consumption and configurability.

     lainCurie, Vice President of Sales at ST Northern Europe, said: "This innovative sensing technology enables touch interaction in any object, surface or space, giving designers complete freedom of design. Neonode's decision to select ST technology is a testament to our important role in developing innovative advanced applications for human-computer interaction."