Rockwell Collins Chooses Touch International's Touch Screen Technology
Touch International's Durable Touch Screen Technology Used With Rockwell's In-Flight Entertainment Products
AUSTIN, TX -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/28/2004 -- Touch International Corporation, a leading manufacturer of touch technology, today announced that Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) has selected Touch International to provide touch screen technology for use with Rockwell's line of in-flight entertainment products. The win showcases the continued growth of Touch International as one of the top touch system component manufacturers and places the company's durable touch screen technology in front of millions of flyers while they use Rockwell's popular passenger entertainment products everyday.
In-flight entertainment products are installed on nearly every newly purchased twin and single aisle aircraft being flown with many of these units built by Rockwell Collins. These systems have become client-server computer networks where passengers are able to make entertainment selections from a centralized onboard cache of audio and video materials as well as games. The systems need to be as easy to use as pushing a button, but due to space restrictions, cannot include bulky computer peripherals. To answer this need, Rockwell developed a touch-based in-flight entertainment system, and chose Touch International to provide the touch-based components for the product.
Touch International offers durability and a high degree of customization, allowing Rockwell to design systems that fit the very strict space requirements, with the durability to survive possible misuse by a multitude of people over the life span of the airplane. Touch International also met specific requirements from Rockwell that required special EMI shielding to provide as much filtering of display noise as possible, privacy filters to ensure that only the passenger sitting directly in front of the unit is able to view the screen, and built-in self-extinguishing capabilities in case of aircraft fire.
"We needed touch technology that not only could withstand hot coffee spills, active three year olds and everyday wear and tear, but could fit the numerous heating and electrical design specs that air travel and government regulations require. We looked at a number of other touch manufacturers, and Touch International was the best company to meet our durability needs along with the ability to easily customize their manufacturing to fit our designs," said Bob Wadell, Manager, Purchasing and Subcontracts, Rockwell Collins.
"Rockwell is a great win for us. This is one of the world's premier companies, and is a company that has developed a touch-based product with very strict safety and durability requirements. Rockwell has to put a very high premium on the quality of its touch components, and I am pleased to say that Touch International has met every Rockwell need," said Michael Woolstrum, CEO, Touch International.
In-flight entertainment is only one part of the overall avionics picture that Rockwell Collins delivers to its customers; we're looking at advanced communication, navigation and surveillance systems, on-the-fly maintenance monitoring, en route email, and audio and video on demand (A/VOD) for passengers to give you just a few examples of what Rockwell Collins brings to its customers.
About Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a leader in the design, production and support of communications and aviation electronics solutions for government and commercial customers worldwide.
About Touch International
Founded by industry veterans, Touch International, Inc. is a privately held, worldwide supplier of high-quality touch screen components. Through its expanded manufacturing facilities, Touch International is able to offer a wide variety and rapid delivery of lower-priced, high-reliability products, based on customer needs and specifications. Touch International is headquartered in Austin, with four factories strategically placed around the globe, and additional sales and support offices on four continents.
For photographs, datasheets, or any additional information, contact Heather McLaren at 512.832.8292 or send email to hmclaren@touchintl.com.
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