TDK Corporation (TSE:6762) announced today that its subsidiary, TDK Electronics, is joining forces with Amsterdam-based Aito B.V., a frontrunner in controller solutions for piezo haptics. Both companies will cooperate in the development, marketing and sale of cutting-edge touch response solutions that are based on TDK’s portfolio of piezo actuators and Aito’s intelligent HapticTouch control solution.
“Through the cooperation, TDK and Aito are able to provide much more comprehensive support to customers, who are facing the challenging and complex process of integrating existing haptic actuators into their haptic applications,” explains Dr. Georg Kuegerl, CTO of the TDK Piezo & Protection Devices Business Group. “They will benefit from a fully-integrated solution that combines our piezo actuators and Aito’s smart control ICs, enabling much faster development, far better haptic performance and lower costs.”
Peter Kurstjens, CEO of Aito, stated: “TDK is well known for their reliable high-volume piezo component manufacturing and development. Their experience will help us to further strengthen our leading position in touch response solutions.”
Aito’s intelligent control solution transforms piezo actuators into precise touch sensors and powerful haptic actuators, providing haptic feedback to users’ fingertips and making smooth surfaces feel like physical buttons, shapes, edges or textures. As confirmation of input on smartphone touchscreens or as replacement of traditional buttons in car interiors, the combined haptic technology of TDK and Aito is set to enable more natural and intuitive interaction on millions of electronic devices. For example:
- Touchscreen operation, replacement of laptop keyboard keys for smartphones and computing;
- Control and operation of infotainment systems, climate controls, steering wheel controls, touch-based gear shifters in automotive interiors; and
- Human interfaces and controls for industrial and medical electronics.
Touch response solutions can be experienced at Electronica 2018 in Munich from November 13th to 16th at TDK’s booth in Hall B6.105.
About TDK Corporation
TDK Corporation is a leading electronics company based in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. TDK’s comprehensive portfolio features passive components such as ceramic, aluminium electrolytic and film capacitors, as well as magnetics, high-frequency, and piezo and protection devices. The product spectrum also includes sensors and sensor systems such as temperature and pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors. In addition, TDK provides power supplies and energy devices, magnetic heads and more. These products are marketed under the product brands TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics and TDK-Lambda. TDK focuses on demanding markets in the areas of information and communication technology and automotive, industrial and consumer electronics. The company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America. In fiscal 2018, TDK posted total sales of USD 12 billion and employed about 103,000 people worldwide.
About TDK Electronics
TDK Electronics (formerly EPCOS) develops, manufactures and markets electronic components and systems under the product brands of TDK and EPCOS, focusing on fast-growing leading-edge technology markets, which include automotive electronics, industrial electronics and consumer electronics as well as information and communications technology. Thanks to the 24,000 employees at some 20 design and production locations and an extensive sales network, the company is globally positioned – beyond the provision of standard products – to work closely with customers and create the right solutions for them.
About Aito B.V.
Aito is a leading developer of controller solutions in piezo haptics based in Amsterdam and Helsinki, offering an innovative new category of interface controls. Their unique and patented technology combines touch functionality with haptic feedback in the world’s thinnest form factor and provides a best-in-class user experience for products such as smartphones, laptops and car infotainment systems.
