TouchSense A110 Actuator for Automotive Touchscreen - Immersion

Immersion is introducing its TouchSense A110 actuator, an automotive grade
actuator that enables fast integration of advanced touch feedback (haptics) into
touchscreens. Immersion’s TouchSense technology enables touchscreens to generate
tactile cues, providing more natural and intuitive experience for the user.
Users feel that onscreen buttons press and release similar to mechanical
buttons. Tactile effects can also be synchronized with images and sound to
create more engaging experience.

Immersion’s TouchSense Technology

TouchSense A110 actuator is specifically designed for automotive
applications. It meets automotive specifications for temperature, humidity,
corrosion, reliability, and performance. TouchSense A110 actuator is intended
for use with 8- to 17-inch touchscreens and touch surfaces. Chuck Joseph,
Immersion VP, stated that with its new TouchSense A110 actuator, Immersion
provide TouchSense technology to touchscreens, touch surfaces, and button
clusters so that every vehicle manufactured could have some form of affordable
touch feedback technology.

TouchSense A110 Actuator

Specs of TouchSense A110 Actuator (CTS-A110-12):

• Vibration
  • 4 gee at 20 Hz, 100 hours
• Shock
  • 100 gee, 11 ms, 3 major axes
• Rated Life
  • 1 million tactile events (automotive usage)
• Voltage
  • 12.6 VDC nominal; standard operating range 11V to 14V
  • +/- 20% performance variance
• Peak Current
  • 1A per actuator
• Air Flow
  • No air flow is expected
• Fastner Options
  • Vertical: sheet metal and plastic rivets
  • Horizontal: 2 mm self tapping screw
• Connector Type
  • Two pin locking connector
• Temperature Operating/Storage
  • -40°C to +90°C / -50°C to +120°C (95% RH non-condensing)
• Humidity and Corrosion
  • Salt Fog 5%, 96 hours
• Dimensions (LxHxW)
  • 43.5 mm x 28.5 mm x 11.5 mm (1.7 in x 1.12 in x 0.45 in)
• Weight
  • 22g (0.8 oz) per actuator nominal
• Other Standards
  • SAE J1113 (EMC), UL 60950-1, RoHS

Installation of TouchSense A110 Actuator to Touchscreen

To help faster development time, Immersion offers a TouchSense Integration
Kit for Touchscreens. The design kit includes components and information needed
to integrate TouchSense touch feedback into a production-ready design. The
design kit guides developer through the mechanical, electrical, and software
integration steps needed to design and build TouchSense touch feedback-enabled
products:

Immersion TouchSense Integration Kit for Touchscreens

TouchSense Integration Kit for Touchscreens includes:

• TouchSense actuators, either A110 or A300 (for larger touchscreen)
• Two TouchSense control boards:
  • USB with hub for downstream connections
  • RS-232
• Universal input power supply
• Cables and fasteners
• Integration guide
• Software development kit (TouchSense SDK)
  • Programming guide
  • Windows ActiveX control and API library
  • Windows sample application and demonstration files
  • API and sample application source code to facilitate porting to
    nonWindows platforms

Immersion will be demonstrating potential applications of its haptics
technology at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, January 8-11, 2009.

Resources:

• Press Release: Immersion Drives Automotive Design Innovation with
  First-Ever Auto-Grade Haptic Touchscreen Technology (http://ir.immersion.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=354706)
• A110 TouchSense Actuator (http://www.immersion.com/industrial/docs/a110_specsheet_aug08v2.pdf)
• Touch Feedback Design Kit for Large Touchscreens (http://www.immersion.com/industrial/touchscreen/products/ldk.php)
• TouchSense SDK (http://www.immersion.com/industrial/touchscreen/products/sdk.php)