Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) recently said it is set to launch samples of capacitive touch screen panels soon, after having formed an R&D division to develop capacitive touch screen products, according to CPT.

CPT currently is not involved in resistive touch screen panel development, said the company, noting that it is outsourcing the segment to other manufacturers. However, should CPT develop the segment itself, the company expects to team up with existing players, said SC Lin, VP of the company's small-medium TFT business group. Lin noted that CPT is still evaluating potential business partners for such a move.

Handsets, UMPCs (ultra mobile PC) as well as GPS devices are the main drivers of the touch screen panel market, Lin indicated.

In the production of capacitive touch screen panels, adhering the capacitive sensor element onto a glass layer above the LCD panel requires a relatively lower technological entry barrier, noted Lin, who added that CPT is planning to introduce related products using this type of process. In more advanced production methods, the touch sensitive components are integrated into the LCD panel, noted Lin.

AU Optronics (AUO) recently said the company will show a touch panel at FPD International 2007 in October. Sources indicated that AUO will debut a 4-inch car-use capacitive touch screen panel during the show.