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 even more applications and use cases. Below are 10 popular IoT sensor types and some of their use cases.
01 Temperature Sensor
Temperature sensors measure the heat energy in a heat source, enabling them to detect temperature changes and convert these changes into data. Machinery used in manufacturing often requires specific levels of ambient and equipment temperature. Similarly, within agriculture, soil temperature is a critical 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 detect changes in gases and liquids.
When pressure changes, the sensor detects these changes and transmits them to the connected system. Common use cases include leak testing, which can be a result of attenuation. Pressure sensors are also useful in the manufacture of water systems because they can easily detect pressure fluctuations or drops.
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. Proximity sensors have some interesting use cases.
For example, in the retail industry, proximity sensors can detect movement between a customer and a product that he or she is interested in.
Users can receive notifications of any discounts or special offers on products located near the sensor. Proximity sensors are also used in parking lots at shopping malls, stadiums, and airports to indicate parking availability. They are also used on assembly lines in the chemical, food, and many other types of industries.
05 Liquid Level Sensor
Liquid level sensors are used to detect the liquid level of substances such as liquids, powders, and granular materials.
Many industries, including oil refining, water treatment, and beverage and food manufacturing plants, use level sensors. Waste management systems provide a common use case because level sensors can detect the waste level in trash cans or bins.
06 Accelerometer
Accelerometers can detect the acceleration of an object, that is, the rate of change of an object's velocity over time. Accelerometers can also detect changes in gravity.
Applications of accelerometers include smart pedometers and monitoring of driving fleets. They can also be used for theft protection, alerting 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 about an axis.
Use cases include automobiles, such as car navigation and electronic stability control (anti-slip) 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 homes.
09 Infrared Sensor
These types of sensors sense characteristics of their surroundings by emitting or detecting infrared radiation. They can also measure the heat emitted by objects.
Infrared sensors are used in a variety of IoT projects, including healthcare, because 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 examine hidden layers in paintings to help determine whether a work of art is original, a forgery, or altered through a restoration process.
10 Optical Sensors
Optical sensors convert light into electrical signals. Optical sensors have many applications and uses.
1. In the automotive industry, cars use optical sensors to identify signs, obstacles, and other things that drivers notice while driving or parking.
2. Optical sensors have played a significant role in the development of autonomous vehicles.
3. 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.
