LG Display will start mass production of Advanced In-Cell Touch (AIT) panels for notebook PCs, which will make the devices slimmer and lighter, in the second half of this year. The new Full HD LCD panel incorporating the 'In-Cell' touch function is an exclusive development by LG Display. The AIT is an advanced in-cell touch technology that employs a touch sensor embedded within the LCD panel, replacing the 'add-on' type that places the touch panel on top of the LCD.

The panels with the AIT technology have earlier been introduced for smartphones such as LG G4. It is the first time the technology is being applied to larger size devices such as notebook PCs.

The technology eliminates the space needed for a touch function cover glass, and as a result reduces the panel’s thickness by 1 millimeter (approximately 25 percent) and its weight by 200 grams (approximately 35 percent) compared to a conventional 15.6-inch touch-embedded panel with Full HD resolution. It also offers a brighter and clearer screen picture since there is no light loss or light reflection caused by the cover glass. In addition it features an excellent touch response and precise calibration of the touch point even with water drops on the screen.

LG Display has already agreed to supply 15.6-inch and 14-inch panels to several global notebook PC brands. The company is also working on an AIT-based panel for pen touch functions.

OLED investment

In related news, LG Display plans to invest up to 900 billion won ($802.75 million) to build a new production line for small- and medium-sized organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, the DongA Ilbo newspaper reported on Monday.

The plant will produce flexible OLED panels used for smartphones and wearable products and will be built in South Korea, the paper reported.