Geneva, Switzerland; Stockholm, Sweden, January 31, 2018 — State-of-the-art silicon chips from STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, have enabled new zForce AIR™ touch-sensing modules from Neonode (NASDAQ: NEON), the optical sensor technology company.
Neonode’s compact, low-power, and easy-to-use modules add touch interaction to any USB- or I2C-connected object and work with any type of display or surface, including steel, wood, plastic, glass, skin, or even nothing, able to detect touch interactions in mid-air. The innovative approach uses laser-generated infrared light to track touch or gesture control, combining millimeter precision with ultra-fast response. The non-visible-spectrum light doesn’t impact display quality, add glare, or shift colors.
The new Neonode family of touch-sensors uses a programmable mixed-signal custom System-on-Chip (SoC) and an STM32 Arm® Cortex® microcontroller from ST for scanning laser diodes and IR beams to determine the exact position and movements of fingers, hands, or other reflective objects in the light path. Multiple objects can be tracked simultaneously and interpreted as touches or gestures with extreme accuracy: the coordinates are relayed up to 500 times per second with virtually zero delay.
“ST’s leading-edge chip-design capabilities and manufacturing processes have enabled us to build an innovative, high-performance optical-sensor system that is highly complex yet cost-competitive,” said Andreas Bunge, CEO of Neonode. “The advanced mixed-signal SoC and STM32 microcontroller at the heart of our new zForce AIR modules deliver the right combination of touch-control precision in real-time, low power consumption, and configurability.”
“This innovative sensing technology can make any object, surface, or space touch- interactive, bringing complete freedom of design,” said Iain Currie, Vice President North Europe Sales, STMicroelectronics. “Neonode’s decision to use ST technologies confirms our enabling role in the development of advanced applications that break new ground in man-machine interaction.”
Now available for immediate shipment worldwide through Digi-Key Electronics, the zForce AIR™ Touch Sensor modules will be displayed on ST’s stand at Embedded World 2018 (February 27 – March 1, Nuremberg).
About Neonode
Neonode Inc. develops, manufactures and sells optical sensing components. Thanks to years of research & development, Neonode’s proprietary optical sensing technology is deployed in a wide range of applications – ranging from consumer electronics to automotive systems. To date 50+ million products are on the market using Neonode technology, including 2+ million vehicles and 48+ million consumer electronic products.
NEONODE and the NEONODE Logo are trademarks of Neonode Inc. registered in the United States and other countries. ZFORCE AIR is a trademark of Neonode Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About STMicroelectronics
ST is a global semiconductor leader delivering intelligent and energy-efficient products and solutions that power the electronics at the heart of everyday life. ST’s products are found everywhere today, and together with our customers, we are enabling smarter driving and smarter factories, cities and homes, along with the next generation of mobile and Internet of Things devices.
By getting more from technology to get more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.
In 2017, the Company’s net revenues were $8.35 billion, serving more than 100,000 customers worldwide. Further information can be found at www.st.com.
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