As a result of advances in technology, displays now commonly come equipped with DMC Touch Screen functionality. Touchscreens are now standard on almost all personal consumer electronics with screens; the only exception is inexpensive laptops, which lag behind in this regard. If you watch a young child using a display, you will notice that they almost always attempt to interact with it by touching it.

OEMs that incorporate displays are now expected to meet a requirement as a result of the widespread adoption of touch technology. If your display does not support touch input, you will miss out on important interactions. Include it, and you will likely see an increase in end-user engagement and possibly even sales.

In contrast to portable electronics, point of sale (POS) displays, particularly those that are used in the open air, are subject to conditions that are more taxing. You can immediately understand the additional strain that is placed on display technology that is used outdoors if you consider putting something like digital signage or an ATM in an outdoor environment where it is subject to vandalism and poor weather.

However, not all touchscreens are created equally, and manufacturers who intend to use touch in their POS devices need to keep the following in mind in order to do so successfully:

Heat & Light from the Sun

Because there are so many outdoor displays, the visibility of the advertisements for the various products and services needs to be exceptional. Displays have the potential to become difficult to read when exposed to direct sunlight. Even if your product does not have a touchscreen, sunlight in general can cause reflections on the display, which can make it difficult or impossible to read. To get around this problem, either improved backlights or a protective coating that cuts down on glare can be installed on the screen.

Heat is also a significant factor in outdoor environments, as countries with high average temperatures and high relative humidity, as well as seasonal conditions, can have a significant impact on display performance. An infra-red film applied to the back of a DMC Touch Screen sensor can assist it in coping with heat, and the majority of point-of-sale devices are also outfitted with their very own air conditioning systems to ensure that they continue to function properly.

Rain

Because electronic components can be damaged or even rendered useless by moisture, protecting outdoor displays from the elements to the fullest extent possible is essential. In addition, services like interactive area maps and automated teller machines (ATMs) need to be able to continue providing touch functionality even when used outside. Because traditional touch sensors are affected by electrical currents, they can be disrupted by water on the screen. This can cause the sensors to become confused and cause them to register false touches if the water is on the screen. Before beginning the construction of your product, it is essential to have a conversation with the display supplier about the requirements for use in outdoor environments.

Cold

When it is cold outside, you need to give careful thought to the materials that will be used in your displays. For instance, the glass needs to be durable enough so that it can withstand the cold. Additionally, screens may need to be designed to function even when end users are wearing gloves. This calls for a distinct kind of capacitive touch technology that is finely tuned in order to work properly.

Damage and vandalism

Unfortunately, outdoor displays are frequently subject to vandalism and damage, which may be deliberate or unintentional depending on the circumstances. Therefore, displays need to have the ability to withstand impact, as well as scuffs and scrapes that may occur. Even though no glass can offer complete protection against determined assailants, it is essential that the display does not shatter into smaller shards in order to keep the general public safe.

Outdoor touch displays call for a level of planning that you probably haven't given much thought to before, but as you can see from the factors we've outlined, this is absolutely necessary. In order for your customers to use your display, it needs to be protected from temperature extremes, the elements, and damage while also maintaining its functionality and efficiency. The Covid restrictions in the UK are beginning to relax, and summer is just around the corner; as a result, an increasing number of people will be inclined to get together outside; having the appropriate touchscreen technology will be essential to creating interactions with customers that go off without a hitch.