Motorola invests undisclosed amount in French touch-screen software maker

Motorola invests in touch-screen software maker

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Communications product and service company Motorola Inc. said Thursday its venture capital arm has invested in Sensitive Object, a six-year old company that makes software for converting surfaces into touch-screens.

Motorola did not say how much it is investing in the startup, a spinoff of the French National Center for Scientific Research.

It said the Paris company’s technology analyzes acoustic waves from the point of contact on a screen, potentially giving any device touch-screen capability.

For Motorola, touch-screen technology is increasingly important as it looks to compete in the quickly expanding smart phone market.

The company’s most recent phone, the Droid, has a touch-screen and slide-out keyboard, Motorola’s answer to the popular iPhone from Apple Inc.

Motorola plans to release several new smart phones next year.