In IoT (Internet of Things) scenarios, sensors are ubiquitous and an indispensable part of the IoT.
The first thermostat was introduced in the late 1880s, and infrared sensors began appearing in the late 1940s. IoT and its corresponding Industrial IoT (IIoT) are taking the use of sensors to a new level.
Broadly speaking, sensors are devices that detect and respond to changes in the environment. Inputs can come from various sources such as light, temperature, motion, and pressure. Sensors output valuable information, and if they are connected to a network, they can share data with other connected devices and management systems.
There are many types of IoT sensors, and the number of applications and use cases is even greater. Below are 10 popular types of IoT sensors and some of their use cases.
01 Temperature Sensor
The temperature sensor measures the thermal energy in a heat source, enabling it to detect temperature changes and convert those changes into data.
Machines used in manufacturing often require the ambient and equipment temperatures to be at specific levels. Similarly, in agriculture, soil temperature is a key factor for crop growth.
02 Humidity Sensor
Humidity sensors are used to measure the amount of water vapor in the air or other gases and are commonly found in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in industrial and residential settings. They can also be found in many other areas, including hospitals, and weather stations for reporting and forecasting weather.
03 Pressure Sensor
Pressure sensors can sense changes in gases and liquids.
When pressure changes occur, the sensor detects these changes and communicates them to the connected system. Common use cases include leak testing, which may result from attenuation. Pressure sensors are also useful in the manufacturing of water systems, as they easily detect fluctuations or drops in pressure.
04 Proximity Sensor
Proximity sensors are used for non-contact detection of objects near the sensor. These types of sensors typically emit electromagnetic fields or infrared radiation beams. Proximity sensors have some interesting use cases.
For instance, in retail, proximity sensors can detect the movement between a customer and the product of interest.
Users can receive notifications of any discounts or special offers for products located near the sensor. Proximity sensors can also be used in parking lots of malls, stadiums, and airports to indicate parking availability. They are also used on assembly lines in the chemical, food, and many other industries.
05 Level Sensor
Level sensors are used to detect the level of liquids, powders, and granular materials.
Many industries, including oil manufacturing, water treatment, beverage, and food manufacturing plants, use level sensors. Waste management systems provide a common use case, as level sensors can detect waste levels in bins or dumpsters.
06 Accelerometer
Accelerometers can detect the acceleration of an object, which is the rate of change of the object’s velocity over time. Accelerometers can also detect changes in gravity.
Use cases for accelerometers include smart pedometers and monitoring driving fleets.They can also serve as anti-theft protection, sending alerts to the system when an object that should be stationary is moved.
07 Gyroscope
Gyroscope sensors measure angular rate or velocity, typically defined as measuring speed and rotation around an axis.
Use cases include automobiles, such as car navigation and electronic stability control (anti-skid) systems. Other use cases include motion sensing in video games and camera shake detection systems.
08 Gas Sensor
These types of sensors monitor and detect changes in air quality, including the presence of toxic, flammable, or harmful gases.
Industries using gas sensors include mining, oil and gas, chemical research, and manufacturing.A common consumer use case is the familiar carbon dioxide detector used in many households.
09 Infrared Sensor
These types of sensors perceive characteristics of the surrounding environment by emitting or detecting infrared radiation. They can also measure the heat emitted by objects.
Infrared sensors are used in various IoT projects, including healthcare, as they simplify monitoring blood flow and blood pressure.Televisions use infrared sensors to interpret signals sent by remote controls.
Another interesting application is that art historians use infrared sensors to view hidden layers in paintings to help determine whether an artwork is original, forged, or altered during restoration.
10 Optical Sensor
Optical sensors convert light into electrical signals. Optical sensors have many applications and use cases.
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In the automotive industry, cars use optical sensors to recognize signs, obstacles, and other things that drivers notice while driving or parking. -
In the development of autonomous vehicles, optical sensors play a significant role. -
Optical sensors are very common in smartphones. For example, ambient light sensors can extend battery life.
Optical sensors are also used in the biomedical field, including respiratory analysis and heart rate monitors.