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A sensor is a device that can represent aspects of the physical world as data in real time. There are thousands of different types of sensors that are used in scientific equipment, electronics, transportation, robotics, security devices and infrastructure such as smart cities. Many sensors have become inexpensive meaning that they increasingly making appearances in everyday items. The following are a few examples of common sensors.
CameraRecords video and still images.Microphone Records sound.Global Positioning SystemMeasures where you are on the planet at what time using a satellite system.Tactile SensorsSenses touch. Includes both devices designed to collect input from humans such as touch screens and machines that collect touch data on their own such as the hand of a robot.ButtonA simple sensor for user input that reports when someone pushes it.
Accelerometer Measures changes in velocity, divided by time. Used to measure things such as user gestures with a mobile device. Can also be used to understand the position of a device as they can detect the direction of gravity. An accelerometer can also detect if a device has been dropped.Speed SensorDetect the speed of objects. Includes the speedometer on vehicles, radar guns to detect the speed of other objects and airspeed indicators.
Chemical SensorOften designed to detect a specific chemical such as carbon dioxide sensor. In their most advanced incarnations they may attempt to detect a wide variety of "smells" much like the human nose. Includes safety devices such as smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.MagnetometerMeasure magnetic fields for purposes such as detecting submarines or to scan underground geology. Also used in mobile devices as compasses.
Proximity SensorA type of electromagnetic field sensor for detecting nearby objects.Ambient Light SensorDetects how light or dark it is in order to adjust lighting levels such as a mobile device that automatically adjusts its screen brightness to save power. A type of photodetector.GyroscopeMeasures speed and direction of movement in 3D space.ThermometerMeasures temperature and how quickly temperature changes.
BarometerMeasures atmospheric pressure with applications for weather forecasting and estimating altitude. Also used in diving to measure the depth of a dive and to measure the contents of a diver's air tank.AltimeterMeasures altitude. Often based on a barometer but other methods exist such as a radar altimeter based on radio signals. Important to aircraft and skydiving.Fingerprint SensorA specialized device for reading fingerprints. A variety of technologies exist for this including optical, ultrasonic and capacitance sensors.
Capacitance SensorMeasures electrical charges or senses things by applying a slight electrical charge on touch. InclinometerMeasures angle of tilt with respect to gravity. Tachometer Checks how fast a disk is spinning such as the parts in an engine or machine.Flame DetectorDetects actual fire as opposed to smoke.Motion DetectorDetects movement using a variety of techniques that can include optical, microwave or acoustic sensors.Occupancy SensorSenses that someone is in a room even if they are not moving using infrared, ultrasonic or microwave detection.BiosensorA broad class of sensors for detecting elements of biology such as cells or microorganisms. Currently used in research, medicine and food safety.Air Pollution SensorDetects gasses and atmospheric particulate matter such as smoke, smog, dust, spores and pollen.Molecular SensorTools for molecular recognition.
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