Novel First Aid Kiosk Benefits from 3M's Rugged Touch Technology

3M Touch Systems, a division of diversified technology company 3M, today announced the incorporation of its rugged touch system in the award-winning first aid kiosk from POWER Products. The self-service kiosk, named Hawk Healthcare, is designed to offer special emergency assistance to the public in indoor and outdoor environments such as shopping centres, train and bus stations, libraries and government offices. 3M's rugged surface capacitive touch screen technology was chosen as the touch-interface for its fast accurate response and robust construction.

"We chose 3M's most rugged touch system as it's ideal for unsupervised self-service kiosks that demand high levels of surface wear, impact strength and shatter resistance," commented Tomas Pav, Sales and Technical Director, POWER Products. "We have a long established cooperation with 3M, having been a distributor for 12 years. As well as innovative technology, high quality support and brand strength were the main reasons for selecting the company as touch screen provider for our unique emergency kiosk application."

Based in the Czech-Republic, POWER Products has over 17 years experience in the design and manufacture of kiosks, self-service terminals, special monitors, LCD panels, touch screens and industrial and military monitors. The company's product range addresses customers' unique requirements by combining attractive kiosks with a comprehensive selection of technology accessories. The Hawk Healthcare kiosk, for example, features a built-in mobile phone and removable defibrillator. It can also be modified to include a top roof for shelter and high brightness LED lighting for night time visibility.

The concept of the first aid kiosk is simple. If anyone suspects signs of heart failure they can break the emergency glass, turn a knob and open the door to remove the defibrillator case. On activation of the equipment, the mobile phone will automatically call an ambulance giving an exact location of the kiosk via an integrated GPS module. Instructions on how to use the defibrillator are given through an easy to follow, continuous on-screen presentation.

The kiosk uses a 17-inch MicroTouch SCT7650EX surface capacitive touch system with a USB controller from 3M. With its conductive, adhesive-bonded flexible circuit tail, the touch sensor facilitates a superior liquid and dust seal between the sensor and display bezel. Furthermore, the 4mm optically-clear laminated glass-on-glass construction provides 86.5 per cent light transmission for brighter, crisper display images.

The SCT7650EX also meets EN/UL 60950-1 safety standards for superior impact resistance and durability. If surface breakage occurs due to extraordinary impact, the lamination helps isolate the glass shards between the touch surface and LCD to protect the user. For applications that require user privacy, Vikuiti Advanced Light Control Film (ALCF) from 3M can be applied to the sensor, which increases on-screen security by restricting the viewing angle.

"This is an extremely remarkable kiosk application and we are excited to be part of it," said Paolo Pedrazzoli, Marketing Operations Manager EMEA, 3M Touch Systems. "Our rugged touch system offers the highest performance a customer could want for vandal-prone, unsupervised kiosk applications in terms of durability, reliability and optical transmission."

The Hawk Healthcare first aid kiosk is now available and recently won an EAFS Self-Service Award 2009 for the category Best Self-Service Application. The board members recognised the kiosk as an outstanding example of the valuable benefits self-service solutions can provide to the public.

3M Touch Systems provides innovative touch technology products to customers worldwide under the MicroTouch brand. Popular interactive applications include casino gaming, retail point of sale, foodservice, hospitality, self-service, industrial, healthcare and interactive digital signage. For more information about MicroTouch products, visit www.3M.co.uk/touch

For more information about POWER Products and Hawk Healthcare, please visit www.power-kiosk.com

3M and MicroTouch are trademarks of 3M

About POWER Products s.r.o
POWER products s.r.o. was founded in 1996 in Prague, Czech Republic, with the amalgamation of Graphic Products s.r.o. and Business Power Systems s.r.o. The company now has more than 17 years experience in selling, servicing and the production of specialised IT equipment. Today POWER products has become a leading supplier of kiosks, self-service terminals, special monitors, LCD panels, touch screens and industrial and military monitors.

The company's sales turnover now exceeds Euro 7.5 million. Its production capacity is currently 4,000 kiosks a year. It has a highly qualified and motivated work force of almost 40 employees and international sales are fully supported through either local offices and representatives, or carefully chosen specialist distributors in more than 30 countries covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

About 3M Touch Systems, Inc.
3M Touch Systems Inc., a subsidiary of 3M, operates globally and is part of the 3M Electro & Communication business, headquartered in St. Paul, Minn.

About 3M
3M is a $25 billion diversified technology company which, since 1902, has been creating innovative products that help make the world healthier, safer and more productive. Well known 3M brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate and Scotch-Brite.

3M employs some 76,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 60 countries. It produces thousands of innovative products for customers in dozens of diverse markets and its 45 technology platforms touch nearly every aspect of modern life - the company has applied its expertise in RFID technology to deliver biometric passports; it is using its understanding of the healthcare industry to provide hospitals with infection prevention and detection solutions; and in 2008 it launched the world’s first hand-held pocket projector, the MPro110.

The UK and Ireland is home to one of the largest 3M subsidiaries outside the USA, employing more than 3,500 people across 18 locations, including 12 manufacturing sites.

Products manufactured in the UK include coated abrasives, occupational health and environmental safety equipment, adhesive tapes, industrial microbiology products, drug delivery systems, high-performance coatings, secure documents and passport scanners.