Japan Display’s ZINNSIA Technology: Transforming Everyday Objects into Interactive Sensors

In CEATEC 2024, Japan Display Inc. (JDI) was introduced INSIANSpowerful sensor technology change how everyday objects can be transformed into sensitive touch surfaces. Launched earlier in June, the ZINNSIA sensor was shown at CEATEC with a series of demonstrations designed to demonstrate the enormous potential of integrating sensory processing into a wide range of materials, from wood and marble to fabric and leather.

IN INDIA is a sensor solution that can detect movement even in thick and irregular surfaces. This new technology paves the way for seamless and invisible emotions. Its main feature lies in its ability to transform objects that were once considered impossible for strong senses into functional touch surfaces, giving designers a new level of creative freedom.

How ZINNSIA works

The core of ZINNSIA’s operation is a sensory mat placed behind a target object or object. This mat turns the surface into a touch sensor that can detect movement without the need for direct contact. Even moving a hand or finger over something can cause a reaction. Unlike other technologies that turn objects into touch interfaces, such as depth cameras, ZINNSIA is reliable and efficient, maintaining its sensitivity with thick and uneven objects. The precision of JDI’s capacitive sensor sets it apart, even when working with objects with complex or irregular shapes.

Protests at CEATEC 2024

The JDI show showcased ZINNSIA’s versatility with several live demonstrations, each highlighting different ways the technology can be used across a variety of applications. Here are some of the highlights of the event:

Lighting Control Using

Lighting Control with Different Types of Equipment

One of the most interactive parts of the JDI booth features six different elements, all of which can be used to control lighting. By simply raising a hand over these areas, visitors can turn the light on or off and adjust its intensity. The demonstration emphasized ZINNSIA’s ability to work in various environments without requiring any physical contact, underscoring its potential for smart home applications where aesthetics and seamless integration are important.

Thick Wood Board Sensing

A prominent display involved a thick wooden board. Despite the density of objects, the ZINNSIA sensor can accurately detect hand positions and movements from 10 centimeters above the surface. The JDI representative explained that ZINNSIA can adapt to various situations, turning them into functional remote controls. This capability shows a future where wooden furniture, for example, can be embedded with hidden controls for home automation.

Interactive Furry Object For Kids

Another interesting use case shown at CEATEC revolved around a furry object that mimics an interactive stuffed toy. This setup raised the potential for ZINNSIA to be integrated with children’s toys, allowing them to respond to different types of touch and movement. Although the CEATEC team did not see this demo for themselves, it showed a responsive digital cat face on a laptop screen. By interacting with the soft, blue, furry object, visitors can make the virtual cat respond with various animations, showing how technology can improve the experience of toys and make them more attractive to children.

The House Plant Becomes a Touch Panel

One of the more imaginative and playful demos features a houseplant that produces sounds when its leaves are touched. ZINNSIA’s technology utilizes the natural fluctuations in electrical energy that occur when plant leaves are touched. This small variation is done by rooting in the plant pot, where the flexible printed circuit (FPC) substrate received the signal.

Here’s how the setup worked:

1. The FPC substrate, which uses the same capacitive touch screen technique as found in smartphones, was placed under the plant pot.
2. This substrate is connected to a PC via a cable, which processes the signals produced when the leaves are touched.
3. A small change in electrical energy caused by the vibration when you touch the leaves is transmitted to the PC, which causes the application to play pre-set sounds. Although there was a gap between the leaves and the bottom of the pot, the high sensitivity of ZINNSIA allowed the plant to act as a touch panel.

Audio output includes fun phrases like “Konnichiwa” (hello) and “Yokoso” (Welcome), and the demo showed how even houseplants can be used as interactive switches. A JDI representative noted that the output action can be customized beyond sound, potentially enabling lights or other devices to be controlled through plant interactions.

Educational Applications

The power of ZINNSIA in educational settings is highlighted through interactive demos designed to make learning engaging and immersive for children. Another featured a poster of the solar system, where children could touch different planets and celestial bodies to get detailed information displayed on a connected monitor. This hands-on approach turns a simple educational poster into an interactive learning tool, making complex concepts more accessible and memorable for young learners.

Another educational demo showed a poster aimed at teaching English vocabulary. The poster showed various pictures of everyday objects, fruits and animals. By pointing to any picture, the connected monitor will pronounce the word, helping children learn pronunciation and word associations in an engaging, tactile way. These apps emphasize ZINNSIA’s ability to transform educational materials, turning them into interactive resources that can engage and educate at the same time.

Filed Design > Gadgets > Home. Read more about 3d Touch, CEATEC, Ceatec 2024, Design, Japan, Motion Sensing, Sensor and Smart Home.