IoT sensors play a crucial role in the Internet of Things or smart device networks. Essentially, these sensors are integrated into devices like smartphones, doorbells, thermostats, and even cars and refrigerators to capture important data that can be shared with users in real-time.
Cities, municipalities, and buildings are increasingly using devices equipped with IoT sensors to monitor, analyze, and manage resources, weather, traffic, as well as heating and cooling systems.
Top IoT Sensors
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Accelerometer
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Air Quality Sensor
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Biomedical Sensor
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Camera
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Chemical Sensor
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Current Sensor
What Are IoT Sensors?
IoT sensors are any type of mechanism or tool integrated into devices, such as cameras or air quality monitors. These sensors collect information relevant to their deployment environment (such as water levels, temperature, and traffic patterns) and transmit it to the cloud via WiFi, Bluetooth, 5G, or other mobile networks.
For example, a smart thermostat is equipped with temperature sensors that can measure fluctuations in the home temperature. Since these thermostats are connected to the internet, users can log in through an app to monitor the temperature in their home and control the thermostat remotely.
What Are the Uses of IoT Sensors?
IoT sensors collect information for remote device usage and real-time data sharing. The data collected by IoT sensors is sent to the cloud, analyzed by software that can interpret the information, and then sent to users. This data is used to track trends and gather insights about everything from factory energy usage to athletic performance and user health.
Types of IoT Sensors
These are the most popular IoT sensors found in wearable devices, smartphones, and other monitoring tools used by individuals, organizations, and cities. Below, the WeChat public account ‘Computer Program Bar’ explains them for you.
1. Accelerometer
An accelerometer measures acceleration—the change in speed, direction, and intensity of movement.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? Accelerometers are used to collect data from connected devices such as wearables, medical alert devices, cameras, and cars to track activities. Tablets and smartphones also rely on accelerometers to know when to rotate the display based on the physical orientation of the device.
2. Air Quality Sensor
Air quality sensors measure levels of pollution, carbon dioxide, and other particulates in the air, then transmit the measurements to the cloud.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? Cities often use devices equipped with air quality sensors to obtain real-time air quality conditions and issue warnings to residents when necessary while tracking trends for research. Air quality sensors are also used in homes to detect harmful particulates that may be generated indoors by appliances such as gas stoves, warning residents to open windows or turn on exhaust fans.
3. Biomedical Sensor
Biomedical sensors can measure vital signs of the human body, such as heart rate and oxygen levels.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? Wearable devices like smartwatches and arm bands can be equipped with biomedical sensors. The data collected by these devices can be sent back to the wearer for health monitoring or sent back to caregivers or medical personnel for remotely monitoring patients or loved ones.
4. Camera
Cameras and image sensors capture visual data and images.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? Everything from smart refrigerators to self-driving cars relies on cameras to detect objects and monitor the surrounding environment. Cameras are also crucial for smart cities and home and business security—think of Ring cameras that notify homeowners when someone is at their doorstep, even if the homeowner is not home. Cameras also play a role in factory and warehouse automation, helping to perform tasks like product inspections.
5. Chemical Sensor
Chemical sensors can detect chemical changes such as radiation and pH levels in air or liquids.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? Chemical sensors are used for environmental monitoring, such as detecting chemical leaks in factories. They are also integrated into wearable devices to monitor the chemical composition of sweat, saliva, or even tears for more timely treatment and care.
6. Current Sensor
Current sensors measure the amount of electricity flowing through wires by monitoring the magnetic fields generated by the current.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? Current sensors are commonly used for monitoring energy consumption. They provide real-time remote tracking of energy usage in places like data centers.
7. Flow Sensor
Flow sensors measure the speed of liquids or gases flowing through a point in a pipeline. A flow rate that is too fast or too slow may indicate a problem, such as a leak.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? Cities often use flow sensors to help manage water supply systems and detect leaks. These sensors are also a key component of smart metering devices that can monitor the usage and consumption of resources like water or natural gas.
8. Gyroscope
Gyroscopes can sense the angular velocity of devices, or the speed of rotation around an axis.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? In industrial environments, gyroscopes can be used to detect and identify safety issues, such as careless driving of forklifts in warehouses or speeding delivery vehicles on roads. They are often used in conjunction with accelerometers for display orientation on smartphones, tablets, and other connected devices like gaming consoles.
9. Humidity Sensor
Humidity sensors monitor the humidity or the amount of water vapor in the air.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? These sensors are commonly used in smart building management and industrial environments to better manage comfort and energy use. They are often paired with temperature sensors and water sensors for remote environmental monitoring.
10. Level Sensor
Level sensors monitor liquid levels in a sealed environment.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? The data collected and reported by these sensors is critical for leak detection in industrial environments.
11. Motion Sensor
Motion sensors use infrared radiation or ultrasound to detect movement.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? Security and monitoring is a common use case, as motion sensors can detect the presence of objects or people based on the heat emitted from them or the ultrasound reflected from them.
12. Pressure Sensor
Pressure sensors measure the rise and fall of pressure applied to liquids or gases.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? Pressure sensors are commonly used for leak detection and can be used for real-time maintenance of water and heating systems.
13. Proximity Sensor
Similar to motion sensors, proximity sensors detect the presence of objects and measure the distance between them by reflecting infrared radiation or ultrasound off the objects.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? Proximity sensors are used in smart city traffic monitoring and industrial environments to track the movement of parts, personnel, and other objects within factories.
14. Temperature Sensor
Temperature sensors detect temperature changes and measure heat in the environment.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? Temperature sensors are used to monitor air or water temperatures and are common in smart buildings and smart thermostats. Food transport companies increasingly use these sensors to monitor the rise or fall in temperature in food storage areas. They are also used in agriculture to monitor soil temperatures and can provide farmers with real-time updates.
15. Light Sensor
Light sensors (also known as photo detectors) can detect changes in light, collecting data on variables such as light intensity, variation, and duration. They can then convert light energy into electrical signals.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? Light sensors are used in smartphones to automatically adjust screen brightness based on the user’s surrounding environment and in cars to turn headlights on or off depending on the time of day. Light sensors can also work in conjunction with motion sensors to support home security systems.
16. Vibration Sensor
Vibration sensors pick up vibrations, recording their frequency, speed, amplitude, and other variables.
How is the data from these IoT sensors used? Vibration sensors are typically installed on machinery to detect general wear and tear, misalignment of parts, and other issues. They can then alert personnel when maintenance is needed. This is helpful for monitoring everything from large systems like water towers to specific factory equipment.