Kyocera has several divisions, with many display distributors located around hall A3. However, the company did have its own stand, where it was showing materials worked on by its Fineceramics division – as well as more displays.
The highlight of the stand was a 3D-printed 1:3 scale model of an Aston Martin DB5; one of two made for use in the James Bond film Skyfall. Kyocera supplied the printhead used in its construction (by Voxeljet). It was very eye-catching!
Behind the car was a row of technologies dedicated to automotive use. Here, Kyocera was showing its work in touch, proximity sensors and haptic sensations. For example, two on-cell touch displays were on show; one (12.1″) was new. This unit used an LTPS backplane, with 1280 x 800 resolution and 1,000 cd/m² of brightness. A display with touch, bordered with IR sensors to detect hand movements (this could be used to activate different display functions), was nearby. Next to these displays was a 1.3″ projected HUD, with 6.6% transmittance; Kyocera created the panel.
‘Haptic sensations’ are not the same as haptic feedback. Kyocera is not integrating ultrasound or similar into its displays; instead, it was referring to physical ceramic buttons, to be used alongside the touch displays on car consoles.
Kyocera produces sapphire screens to protect displays, although these are not used on many models. However, a Verizon smartphone called the Brigadier – for outdoor use – was developed and launched around five months ago. At Electronica, Kyocera was showing a 7″ sapphire screen (complete with wire wool to try and scratch it with), but can go up to 12.1″ sizes.
