Alps Alpine Launches AirInput™ Panel 15.6-Inch Wide X-Y Type

Touchless Input Solution Employing High-Sensitivity Capacitive Sensing Technology

Munich, Germany, November 23, 2023 – Alps Alpine has commenced sales of an AirInput™ product supporting both touchless and touch input based on original high-sensitivity capacitive sensing technology. Capacitive touch panels are becoming increasingly prevalent as a form of input for smartphones through to industrial equipment because of the convenience offered by intuitive input and control. The flipside is that normal capacitive touch panel input is obstructed by wet or oily hands, hands dirty with chemicals, and glove-wearing. Touching the control surface with dirty hands means it has to be cleaned, while having to remove gloves before use can be quite a hassle. In situations where hygiene needs to be strictly controlled, or contamination prevented, even touching a touch panel can be problematic. Alps Alpine’s AirInput™ Panel addresses these issues as a new input method making use of the space directly in front of the panel for no-touch operation, thereby improving the work or operating environment. (Figure 1) (Table 1) Features of the AirInput™ Panel 15.6-Inch Wide X-Y Type This AirInput™ Panel has been adapted for 15.6-inch-wide general-purpose displays, which are expected to enjoy growth in the industrial equipment market. In addition to X-Y coordinates, the panel can also output a count value for proximity in the height direction (Z axis). Used in combination with a user interface that continuously conveys the position of a detected finger, the panel enables intuitive control in mid-air operation, helping to realize quick input with few errors. As an option for customers who wish to convert existing applications designed for touch operation into touchless applications but are unable to develop the software themselves, we also provide AirInput™ Panel dedicated control software for Windows*. Installing the software allows customers to omit the software development process and utilize existing input screens in a touchless setup. Customers can adjust user interface settings, colors, sizes and other parameters on the settings screen to achieve the desired operating feel and realize a wide range of touchless operation scenarios. (Figure 2) (Table 2) Applications Various input monitors and panels: Input for control displays on food processing machines and other industrial equipment Input panels on control monitors for commercial kitchen and cooking equipment Input panels on control monitors for housing installations and public computer terminals Input panels on control monitors for medical and testing systems Control monitor panels for explosion-proof equipment, etc. Upcoming Plans Alps Alpine will carry out sales activities to promote use of the AirInput™ Panel 15.6-inch wide X-Y type for a whole host of scenarios requiring touchless input and will look to meet broad-ranging needs for industrial equipment and medical systems, and across the market, by expanding the product lineup to include varieties for use with 8-10-inch and 21.5-inch wide displays, as well as for non-contact switch applications. * The AirInput™ Panel dedicated control software for Windows was jointly developed with StellarLink Corporation

Alps Alpine Co., Ltd., founded in 1948 in Japan, is one of the world's largest independent manufacturers of electromechanical components and in-vehicle infotainment products. Headquartered in Tokyo, Alps Alpine maintains ca. 100 group companies across the Americas, Europe and Asia. With ultimate specialist knowledge and reliability, Alps Alpine develops, produces, and markets electromechanical components as well infotainment and next generation mobility lifestyle products such as Audio, Display, Communication and Drive Assist on a worldwide basis. As a subsidiary of Alps Alpine Co., Ltd., Alps Alpine Europe GmbH has been serving European customers for more than 40 years. Based in Munich, our head office in Europe combines a team of specialists in Sales, Marketing, Engineering and R&D. Including our sales offices in many other major cities such as Duesseldorf, Stuttgart, Wolfsburg, Gothenburg, Milton Keynes, Milan and Paris, Alps Alpine Europe GmbH employs around 560 people. Alps Alpine also has manufacturing locations in Ireland, the Czech Republic and Hungary to serve primarily our European customers.