Atmel, a semiconductor manufacturer, this week announced the release of “XSense” – a revolutionary, highly flexible, film-based touch sensor. This will not only enable a new generation of smartphones and tablets, but will also extend touch capabilities into a wider array of new consumer and industrial products.

Based on a proprietary roll-to-roll metal mesh technology, XSense provides a high-performance alternative to existing touch sensors. Larger, lighter, sleeker, curved and edgeless designs could now be developed for smartphones, tablets, Ultrabooks and a host of new touch-enabled devices.

Thinner sensor stacks with flawless touch performance, excellent optical clarity, low sheet resistance and low power consumption will enable designers to turn unique, futuristic concepts into functional designs at lower total system costs compared to current market alternatives.

The first products to feature XSense will appear in Q4 2012, and the company expects “significant volume ramp” in 2013.