KYOCERA Corporation unveiled its HAPTIVITY® i human-machine interface (HMI) technology — a hybrid innovation combining its patented HAPTIVITY® touch technology with IMSETM, a patented 3D injection-molded structural electronics technology from TactoTek Oy(CEO: Jussi Harvela). The result lets designers create HMI solutions in a vast range of 3D shapes, with thinner form factors, fewer components, improved vibration resistance, and significantly reduced weight. Additionally, because they are fully integrated and seamless, HAPTIVITY® i solutions offer an interface that is reliable, durable, protected from debris and moisture, and easy to clean. Kyocera’s original HAPTIVITY® technology employs piezoelectric elements, a vibration amplification mechanism, a control circuit, and proprietary software to transmit vibration through a panel or display surface when touched and pressed. Biomechanically engineered vibration waveforms can replicate real tactile sensations by stimulating neural mechanoreceptors in the user’s fingertip — allowing the user to “feel” physical buttons, for example, and press them, on a panel where no physical buttons exist. TactoTek’s IMSETM technology integrates printed electronic circuitry and electronic components within 3D injection-molded plastics, providing structure, electronic functions, and cosmetics in one seamless, single-piece, smart surface. Integrated functions commonly include capacitive touch sensing, illumination, and wireless connectivity. Compared to traditional electronics, IMSETM reduces part-wall thickness up to 95%, diminishing plastics use and component weight up to 80%, and producing 34% less CO2 emissions “cradle to gate”. The combination promises unprecedented design flexibility and seamless user interfaces. Also, by eliminating wasteful production material and assembly requirements, HAPTIVITY® i will help realize eco-friendly HMI solutions for applications demanding high performance, such as vibration-proof structures for automotive controls and easy-to-clean interfaces for consumer products and smart home systems.
Kyocera Corporation specializes in the development manufacturing and marketing of electronic components. The group also sells communication, document management, medical and energy systems and equipments. Net sales break down by family of products as follows:
- printing and document management equipments and systems (19.9%);
- electronic components and devices (18.4%) : capacitors, crystal devices, clock oscillators, resonators, connectors, etc.;
- semiconductor components (17.8%);
- communication equipments and systems (14.3%): telecommunications terminals (smartphones, tablets), connectivity devices, telecommunications infrastructure, etc.;
- industrial tools (13.7%);
- automotive and industrial components (10.9%): fine ceramic products (mainly for the manufacture of automotive equipment), liquid crystal displays, optical components, camera modules, etc.;
- other (5%).
Net sales break down geographically as follows: Japan (33.4%), Asia (26.4%), the United States (18.6%), Europe (18.4%) and other (3.2%).
KYOCERA CORPORATION 
