Global shipments of touch-screen modules for applications are set to grow more than five-fold in the coming years, rising to 5.4 million units in 2013, up from 971.755 in 2009, according to iSuppli’s report “TouchScreen Interfaces Continue to Drive Growth in Signage and Professional Applications”.

Education and conference rooms were the two biggest applications for touch screens in the digital signage and professional display market in 2009, accounting for nearly 86 percent of the total unit shipments. The third and fourth biggest applications are indoor venues and retail signage.

By 2013, the key applications driving the touch-screen market wilI be education, indoor venues, conference room and retail signage.

The dominant touch-screen technology used in signage and professional displays is resistive, accounting for 41.9 percent of units in 2009. The market for front-projection interactive whiteboards being used in conference rooms and educational settings accounts for most of these shipments. Resistive touch technology is the most mature and developed of all touch-screen technologies, making it the least expensive alternative.

However, by 2013 optical imaging will emerge as the leading single touch-screen technology in the signage and professional display market, accounting for 25.6 percent of worldwide unit shipments. The dominant use for optical imaging touch-screen technology will be in conference rooms.