Popular IoT sensors and types

Popular IoT sensors and types

　　1. Temperature sensors

　　Temperature sensors measure heat in a heat source, enabling them to detect temperature changes and convert those changes into data. Machinery used in manufacturing often requires ambient and equipment temperatures to be at specific levels. Similarly, in agriculture, soil temperature is a key factor in crop growth.

　　2. Humidity Sensors

　　These types of sensors measure the amount of water vapor in the air or other gases. Humidity sensors are typically found in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in industrial and residential areas. They can be found in many other areas, including hospitals and weather stations, to report and predict the weather.

　　3. Pressure Sensors

　　Pressure sensors sense changes in gases and liquids. When the pressure changes, the sensor detects these changes and communicates them to the connected system. Common use cases include leak testing, which may be the result of attenuation. Pressure sensors are also useful in the manufacture of water systems because it is easy to 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 light. Proximity sensors have some interesting use cases. In retail, proximity sensors can detect movement between a customer and the product he or she is interested in. The user can be notified of any discounts or special offers on products near the sensor. Proximity sensors are also used in shopping centers, stadiums and airport parking lots to indicate parking spaces. They can also be used on assembly lines in chemical, food and many other types of industries.

　　5. Liquid level sensors

　　Liquid level sensors are used to detect the level of substances including liquids, powders and granular materials. Liquid level sensors are used in many industries such as oil manufacturing, water treatment, and beverage and food manufacturing plants. Waste management systems provide a common use case, as level sensors can detect the level of waste in a trash can or dumpster.

　　6. Gas sensors

　　These types of sensors monitor and detect changes in air quality, including the presence of toxic, combustible or hazardous gases. Industries that use gas sensors include mining, oil and gas, and chemical research and manufacturing. A common consumer use case is the familiar carbon dioxide detector used in many homes.

　　7. Infrared Sensors

　　These types of sensors sense characteristics of their surroundings by emitting or detecting infrared radiation. They can also measure the heat emitted by an object. Infrared sensors are used in a variety of different IoT projects, including healthcare, because they simplify the monitoring of blood flow and blood pressure. TVs use infrared sensors to interpret signals sent by remote controls. Another interesting application is the use of infrared sensors by art historians to look at hidden layers in paintings to help determine if the artwork is original or a forgery, or if it has been altered through a restoration process.

　　8. Optical sensors

　　Optical sensors convert light into electrical signals. Optical sensors have many applications and use cases. In the automotive industry, vehicles use optical sensors to identify signs, obstacles and other things that drivers notice when driving or parking. Optical sensors play an important role in the development of driverless cars. Optical sensors are very common in smartphones. For example, ambient light sensors can extend battery life. Optical sensors are also used in biomedical applications, including respiratory analysis and heart rate monitors.