3M shows off 10-finger touch technology at CES

3M today unveiled the 3M Display M2256PW, a 22-inch high-definition, multi-touch LCD display which demonstrates 3M’s commitment to push the boundaries of traditional touch technology. Based on 3M Projected Capacitive Technology, the M2256PW display is designed for professional and prosumer (professional consumer) applications that need up to 10-finger touch input or multi-user interactivity with very fast response time. While most multi-touch technologies support two-finger touch and gestures, 3M’s multi-touch technology supports 10-finger touch input and advanced gesture capability.

Introduced in June 2009 at SID Display Week as the 19-inch 3M Multi-touch Developer Kit, this revolutionary technology offered software developers for the first time a “full multi-touch” hardware platform. “Over the past six months software developers from around the world have been working with the 3M multi-touch platform to develop exciting concepts for multi-touch applications,” says Chris Tsourides, business unit manager, 3M Touch Systems.

Utilizing this new technology, software developers are able to revolutionize the way users interact with all types of information and to expand traditional touch interaction to include multiple users and increase collaboration. “Consumers and prosumers have come to expect multi-touch functionality in their everyday electronic devices,” Tsourides says. “The release of the M2256PW display provides a technological leap in multi-touch interactivity, surpassing traditional two-finger multi-touch by providing full, 10-finger multi-touch capability.”

The 3M Display M2256PW features a high-definition 1680 x 1050 LCD screen, DVI and VGA video input, audio input, USB and RS232 (serial) dual-mode communication protocol and durable, anti-glare front surface.

Applications taking advantage of this high level of interactivity include computer aided design, digital signage, computer gaming, security monitoring systems, education and training, and teleconferencing. The M2256PW display is “compatible with Windows 7” so no third party touch drivers are required. For Linux and Windows XP/Vista/7 operating systems, 3M plans to offer a multi-touch driver and software utility, and will offer communication protocol documents for customers who wish to develop their own drivers.