Multitouch in der Logistik

What is Multitouch?

Multitouch describes an input technology in which a display captures and processes more than one touch point simultaneously. This enables two-finger gestures such as pinch-to-zoom, multi-finger swiping, or rotation – interaction patterns that users are familiar with from smartphones and tablets. The technical basis consists of capacitive sensor layers or optical recognition methods integrated behind the display glass inside the device. Simple resistive touchscreens typically support only a single touch point and are therefore not considered multitouch-capable.

Use in intralogistics

In warehouse operations, you will encounter multitouch primarily in the following scenarios:

• Control room and visualization: Warehouse maps, conveyor system topologies, or occupancy plans can be explored intuitively via pinch-zoom, without relying on a mouse or keyboard.
• Picking and packing station terminals: Modern industrial panel PCs offer multitouch interfaces specifically designed for fast confirmation, quantity changes, or order navigation.
• Automated guided vehicles and forklift terminals: Multitouch is often present here, but used in a functionally limited way, since one-handed operation predominates.

The HMI software is a decisive factor in whether the available multitouch hardware is used effectively. Not every WMS or MES interface is optimized for multi-finger gestures. When expanding your system, check whether the software in use explicitly supports multitouch gestures or merely enables single-tap input on a capacitive display.

What to consider when selecting

When procuring multitouch-capable industrial devices for logistics, several factors beyond basic gesture support come into play:

• Glove operation: Capacitive touchscreens detect touch via the electrical conductivity of the skin. Thin work gloves or special conductive gloves allow operation, whereas thick protective gloves typically do not. Some manufacturers offer increased sensitivity as an operating mode – however, this is vendor-dependent and should be verified in real-world testing.
• Cold storage use: In freezer warehouses, protective films or glazing can affect touch sensitivity. Device specifications for temperature ranges must be checked carefully.
• Cleaning and protection rating: Displays in logistics environments are frequently wiped down with cleaning agents. The protection rating (IP class) and the chemical resistance of the display surface must meet the applicable requirements.
• Long-term availability: Industrial terminals are operated for many years. The availability of replacement displays and compatible sensors is an often underestimated criterion in procurement.

Multitouch is not a necessity in every logistics environment. For simple confirmation dialogs, singletouch is entirely sufficient. The added value arises where complex visualizations or data-rich dashboards need to be operated.