Zytronic touch sensors enable phone charging stations for Mecca pilgrims
Pilgrims travelling between Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia can now recharge and top up their phones at forty stations featuring incredibly durable ZyBrid® custom designed Projected Capacitive Technology (PCT™) touch sensors from Zytronic.
The stations, the first to be installed along the pilgrim route, were designed and manufactured by Slovenian system integrator Lastinski, on behalf of United Yousef M. Naghi Co. Ltd, a leading consumer electronics group based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The distance from Mecca to Medina is 280 miles (450km) and it is a journey that many Muslims make as part of their Hajj pilgrimage. Today, most pilgrims have mobile phones with them on their journey, which will require charging during the Hajj, as well as perhaps adding extra credit. United Yousef M. Naghi Co. Ltd identified this unusual application and commissioned Lastinski to create outdoor mobile phone charging stations to help pilgrims keep in touch with family and friends during their pilgrimage.
“This is a pioneering project – these are the first outdoor charging stations to be built alongside this busy pilgrimage route. A reliable touch screen is central to delivering a good experience to the users of the stations. Zytronic touch sensors are very rugged, and have proved fully able to withstand the tough conditions, and operate well through the 8mm glass overlay. We believe that the terminal design we have created is unique and has enormous potential for travellers in other locations including airports and railway stations.”
Mitja Veber, Managing Director of Lastinski
