Sensors are everywhere.
They exist in our homes and workplaces, shopping malls, and hospitals; they are embedded in smartphones and are an integral part of the Internet of Things (IoT).
In fact, sensors have been around for a long time.
The first thermostat was introduced in the late 1880s, and infrared sensors began to appear in the late 1940s. The 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. Sensor outputs provide valuable information, and if they are connected to a network, they can share data with other connected devices and management systems.
Sensors are crucial to the operations of many businesses today. They can alert you to potential issues before they become major problems, allowing businesses to perform predictive maintenance and avoid costly downtime. Data from sensors can also be analyzed for trends, enabling business owners to gain insights into key trends and make informed evidence-based decisions.
Sensors come in many shapes and sizes. Some are specially built and contain many built-in individual sensors, allowing you to monitor and measure many data sources. In brownfield environments (urban land waiting for redevelopment), sensors are critical to include both digital and analog inputs so they can read data from traditional sensors.
There are many types of IoT sensors, and the number of applications and use cases is even greater. Here are 10 of the most popular types of IoT sensors and some of their use cases.
1. Temperature Sensors
Temperature sensors measure the thermal energy in heat sources, allowing them to detect temperature changes and convert these changes into data. Machinery used in manufacturing often requires specific levels of environmental and equipment temperature. Similarly, in agriculture, soil temperature is a critical factor in crop growth.
2. Humidity Sensors
Humidity sensors are used to measure the amount of water vapor in the air or other gases, 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 meteorological stations that report and forecast weather.
3. Pressure Sensors
Pressure sensors can sense changes in gases and liquids. When pressure changes occur, the sensors detect these changes and communicate them to connected systems. 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.
4. Proximity Sensors
Proximity sensors are used for non-contact detection of objects near the sensor. These types of sensors typically emit electromagnetic fields or radiation beams such as infrared. Proximity sensors have some interesting use cases.
For example, in retail, proximity sensors can detect the movement between customers and the products they are interested in. Users can receive notifications of any discounts or special offers on products located near the sensor. Proximity sensors can also be used in parking lots of malls, stadiums, and airports to indicate the availability of parking spots. They are also used on assembly lines in chemical, food, and many other types of industries.
5. Level Sensors
Level sensors are used to detect the level of substances such as liquids, powders, and granular materials. Many industries, including oil manufacturing, water treatment, and 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.
6. Accelerometers
Accelerometers can detect the acceleration of an object, which is the rate of change of the object’s speed over time. Accelerometers can also detect changes in gravity. Applications for accelerometers include smart pedometers and monitoring driving fleets. They can also serve as anti-theft protection, alerting systems when stationary objects are moved.
7. Gyroscopes
Gyroscope sensors measure angular rate or speed, typically defined as the measurement of speed and rotation around an axis. Use cases include automotive applications, 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.
8. Gas Sensors
These types of sensors monitor and detect changes in air quality, including the presence of toxic, flammable, or harmful gases. Industries that use 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 homes.
9. Infrared Sensors
These types of sensors perceive characteristics of their surroundings 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 the monitoring of 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 a piece of art is original or a forgery, or whether it has been altered during restoration processes.
10. Optical Sensors
Optical sensors convert light into electrical signals. Optical sensors have many applications and use cases. In the automotive industry, cars use optical sensors to identify signs, obstacles, and other things that drivers will notice while driving or parking. Optical sensors play a significant role in the development of autonomous vehicles. 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 breath analysis and heart rate monitors.
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