Science & Technology
Science and Technology
Science and Technology
Wed, December 3, 2008
Immersion TouchSense Technology Deployed in Broader Touchscreen Markets
SAN JOSE, Calif.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Immersion Corporation (NASDAQ:IMMR), the leading developer and licensor of [ touch feedback technology ] ([ http://www.immersion.com/corporate/ ]), today announced that global production equipment supplier Ishii Hyoki has delivered LCD information displays using SMK's touch panels with Immersion TouchSense® technology to several of their key customers.
"We receive a great deal of interest in tactile feedback for a number of applications," said Mr. Takashi Fujii, manager of Ishii Hyoki's Display Division. "Clearly, our customers understand the potential for fewer errors and higher productivity when the sense of touch can be used to understand and confirm operational status. We believe our GOP-4000 LCD touch panels will be very successful, and that we will sell more control systems because of their touch feedback capabilities."
Ishii Hyoki's GOP-4000 series, including 6.5-, 8.4- and 10.4-inch LCD touch panels for industrial and commercial machine control applications, was launched in May 2008 at the Embedded Systems Expo in Japan. In response to high customer demand, the panels have already been integrated into machine controls that are now undergoing customer acceptance testing.
"Ishii Hyoki's use of SMK's panels with our TouchSense tactile feedback is yet another proof point that haptics is critical to a dramatically better and more productive user experience for numerous applications," said Immersion's Chuck Joseph, senior vice president and general manager, Touch Interface Products group. "It's simply better and more gratifying to use a product that provides unmistakable touch confirmation, which also improves efficiency, productivity, and operational safety."
"SMK provides advanced, high-quality products," said Shinobu Kaneuji, SMK's general manager of sales and marketing, Touch Panel Division. "We license and employ Immersion's touch feedback technology because we recognize that it is the best and most powerful solution for our customers."
About Ishii Hyoki ([ http://www.ishiihyoki.co.jp/EN/index.html ])
Based in Japan, Ishii Hyoki Co., Ltd. is engaged in the development, production, and distribution of manufacturing devices for electric machinery parts, displays, electronic components, and solar battery wafers. The company's Display, Machinery, and Solar System business divisions generated 2007 net sales of approximately US$171 million.
About SMK ([ www.smk.co.jp ])
SMK Corporation, headquartered in Japan, is an OEM manufacturer of electromechanical components including touch panels. Founded in 1925, the company focuses on producing highly advanced products with superior quality. With 21 manufacturing sites and sales offices in 18 countries, SMK offers an extensive product line, regional manufacturing, and unsurpassed R & D for custom projects at competitive global pricing to its customers. Net sales for FY2007 were approximately US$875 million.
About Immersion ([ www.immersion.com ])
Founded in 1993, Immersion Corporation is the recognized leader in developing, licensing, and marketing digital touch technology and products. Using Immersion's advanced touch feedback technology ([ http://www.immersion.com/corporate ]), electronic user interfaces are more compelling, entertaining, and in many applications, safer and more productive. Immersion's technology has helped manufacturers develop innovative and creative solutions for products such as hundreds of video games and leading video console gaming systems, medical training simulators installed around the world, driver controls for automotive manufacturers, and mobile phones, such as those from LG and Samsung. Immersion's patent portfolio includes over 700 issued or pending patents in the U.S. and other countries.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the results of Immersion Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
All statements, other than the statements of historical fact, are statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements, including any projections of earnings, revenues, or other financial matters; any statements of the plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning the benefits of TouchSense technology for consumers and touchscreen manufacturers or consumer and market acceptance of force feedback products in general; any statements regarding proposed products or services or future economic conditions or performance; statements of belief; and any statement or assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Immersion's actual results might differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties associated with our business, which include, but are not limited to, delay in or failure to achieve commercial demand for our products or a delay in or failure to achieve the acceptance of force feedback as a critical user experience.
For a more detailed discussion of these factors, and other factors that could cause actual results to vary materially, interested parties should review the risk factors listed in our most current Form 10-Q, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release reflect our beliefs and predictions as of the date of this release. We disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements as a result of financial, business, or any other developments occurring after the date of this release.
Immersion, the Immersion logo, and TouchSense are trademarks of Immersion Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
