News

Projected Capacitive Technology touch sensors find the way at resort

May 26, 2016

Zytronic, a provider of Projected Capacitive Technology touch sensors, was commissioned by digital wayfinding specialist Abuzz to deliver its PCT touch sensor assemblies for Marina Bay Sands, an integrated resort in Singapore, according to a press release from Zytronic.

Marina Bay Sands is one of Asia's leading destinations for business, leisure and entertainment. Located in the heart of Singapore's Central Business District, it features convention and exhibition facilities, 2,560 hotel rooms and suites, the rooftop Sands SkyPark, a shopping mall, restaurants and an outdoor event plaza. Abuzz was invited by The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands to develop and implement 29 new wayfinding points, based on the current PCT.

The wayfinder product includes Abuzz's Landmark touchscreen directory, which was customized to meet the client's needs, the release said. The landscape unit features a low form factor that maximizes the customer's line of sight, allowing them to easily orient themselves.

The Abuzz directories feature 40-inch landscape format Zytronic touchscreens driven by the new ZXY110 touch controller. This offers immunity against electrical noise in the environment, and dynamically retunes itself to avoid performance degradation from emissions from mobile phones and other nearby electronic devices. The controller is offered with native Windows device drivers, simplifying integration.

The internal electronics, LCD screens and the artificial marble housings were sourced locally in Singapore, the metalwork for the directories was manufactured in Christchurch, New Zealand, and the touch sensors came from Zytronic in Newcastle, England. To bring all these elements together in Sydney, Australia, before shipping to Singapore would have added a great deal of cost. Abuzz decided to bring the components together on-site in Singapore. To allow the units to be assembled quickly, the touch assemblies needed an acrylic frame with bonded clips to hold the electronics and fasten directly to the metal frame.

"This project was all about creating the best possible experience for the customer. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is equipped to the very highest standards throughout, and the brief for the new wayfinding points was to fully match that," said Paul Pettersen, operations manager of Abuzz. "Visitors' expectations are based on the tablets and smartphones they have in their hands. Delivering that accurate and completely reliable touch experience on a 40-inch toughened screen isn't easy — but is a challenge that Zytronic fully meets with its latest PCT touch technology."