The Tech Behind Touchscreen Gloves: How They Make Using Your Smartphone Possible with Your Gloves On

The Magic Happens Here: How Capacitive and Resistive Touch Technology Make Touchscreen Compatibility Possible

Have you ever worn a pair of touchscreen gloves to keep your hands warm during a cold winter hike, only to wonder what wizardry makes it possible to use your smartphone without actually touching the screen? Like me, you may not have given much thought to the technology behind these wonderful devices. But don’t worry, I’ve delved into the details, and I’m excited to share my findings with you.

Cut to the Chase: Resistant and Capacitive Technologies

To understand how touchscreen gloves work, we need to first grasp the two types of touchscreen technology: resistive and capacitive.

#### Resistive Technology

The resistive type of touch technology relies on pressure to detect touch commands. How does it work? Inside a smart device’s screen, there are typically two layers: the base layer made of glass or plexiglass and a transparent conductive layer on top. When you touch the screen, the upper layer moves into contact with the lower layer. And that’s when the device identifies the location of these two layers touching as your touch command. The top layer of resistive screens is usually made of thick, hard plastic, which makes them more durable (although less responsive).

These resistive screens are widely used in ATMs, checkout stands, and even terminals, where they don’t need to be touched lightly or with precise location. The hard top layer ensures they can withstand years of heavy use without the slightest issue.

#### Capacitive Technology

The next type of touch technology takes a different approach altogether – it’s called capacitive technology. Instead of responding to pressure, it responds to the ability of an electric charge to build and store within a material: capacitance. When a person with touchscreen-enabled gloves wears them and holds a device, their proximity to the screen and skin conductivity can trigger touch-based actions.