IoT sensors play a vital role in the Internet of Things, smart systems, and automation. They are the core of IoT projects and their sensor technologies. IoT sensors are easily integrated with digital devices such as smartphones, appliances, and industries, making the whole world smart. These sensors are capable of collecting real-time data and sharing the stats with users.
IoT sensors are great for remote monitoring. Moreover, Industries, retailers, and smart-home owners are using IoT sensors to measure, analyze, and manage the weather, temperature systems, manufacturing, resources, and much more.
Table of Contents:
What are IoT Sensors?
IoT sensors are hardware capable of detecting changes in the environment. They can also collect data related to these changes and send signals to controlling systems. IoT sensors are integral to IoT technology systems that combine the physical and digital worlds. These sensors are heavily used in this age of industrial automation.
Here is the list of 14 IoT sensors available in the market:
- Accelerometers
- Gyroscopes
- Motion detection sensors
- Proximity sensors
- Biomedical sensors
- Air quality sensors
- Humidity sensors
- Temperature sensors
- Pressure sensors
- Smoke sensors
- IR sensors
- Level sensors
- Flow sensors
- Optical Sensors
Accelerometer sensors
Accelerometers are IoT sensors that came to the limelight after Apple used their devices to measure orientation and track acceleration in any direction. They mostly measure the change in speed, direction, and movement of an object relative to the earth’s surface.
Moreover, various kinds of accelerometers are available with Half-effect, capacitive, Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS), and other different capacities.
Accelerometer sensors used in:
Inertial navigation systems are primarily used in aircraft and missiles.
Drones.
Anti-theft protectors.
Act as a monitoring system in smartphones and tablets.
Activity tracking on wearables and medical devices.
Gyroscope IoT sensors
Gyroscope sensors measure the device’s angular velocity. In many devices, gyroscopes are used in conjunction with accelerometers. The accelerometer records straight-way motion, while gyroscopes detect tilt and sideways orientations.
Gyroscopes are powerful enough to detect any kind of motion that a human eye cannot. Based on the requirements, gyroscope sensors come in different shapes, types, performance levels, and outputs to be used in IoT protocols.
Gyroscope sensors used in:
Space shuttles.
Aircraft, motorboats, cars, and others.
Car navigation, SLR cameras, digital cameras, camera-shake detection systems, and mobile games.
VR headsets and Gaming controllers.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. (ADAS)
Motion detector IoT sensors
Motion detection sensors detect motion. They can detect any physical motion in the planted area and send data to the control system by converting motion into a dedicated signal. They are one of the primary assets of the security industry.
Moreover, it captures the presence of living things with passive ultrasonic waves, infrared rays, and microwaves. It can also decode movement types. Additionally, its high-level sensing quality enhances and provides a wide range of IoT services used in businesses.
Motion detection sensors used in:
Home security systems.
Improving energy efficiency by managing lights according to the requirements.
Automatic doors in hotels, hospitals, stores, airports, and more.
Video surveillance systems where cameras can record when motion is detected.
Smartwatches and fitness bands.
Proximity sensors
Proximity sensors can detect any presence on an object or person without physical contact. They are mostly used in automation, security, robotics, and other IoT services. The usage of proximity sensors is increasing daily with GPS technology. This is one of the primary technologies used in car parking.
Proximity sensors used in:
Car reversing and car parking.
Sending marketing ads and offers when consumers pass the retail stores’ proximity sensor range.
ATMs light up the display when users approach it.
Monitoring liquid levels in industrial tanks and containers.
Trash bins open up when a user approaches.
Biomedical sensors
Biomedical IoT sensors are primarily used in health condition measurements. It measures the physical parameters of the human body. These sensors assist medical applications and healthcare sectors by providing real-time data on vital health signs.
It monitors blood glucose levels, oxygen saturation, CO2 level, heart rate, and more for diagnosis and treatment purposes.
Biomedical sensors used in:
Physiotherapy.
Monitoring patients remotely.
Identifying chemical substances in body fluids.
Body temperature measurement.
Air quality sensors
Air quality sensors monitor the air quality in the environment. They provide information on several pollutants, including chemicals, air particles, carbon dioxide, noise level, air pressure, and temperature. In addition, they warn about potential health risks in distinct environmental conditions.
Air quality sensors used in:
Industries should protect workers from harmful gases and particles.
Providing real-time air quality data to local management.
Heating, ventilation, and Air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Humidity sensors
Humidity IoT sensors measure humidity in specific locations. They help manage climate, comfort level, and other environmental aspects. These sensors can also balance air quality and energy efficiency. They are an integral part of industries’ environmental systems.
Humidity sensors used in:
Smart building management.
Managing comfort and energy efficiency in Industrial settings.
Monitoring the environment, paired with a temperature sensor.
Temperature sensors
Temperature sensors can sense heat and detect any type of change in temperature. They can be attached to humans or objects, and after sensing the change, they collect and transfer the data to the controlling system.
It is an effective device for measuring temperature in several industries. Besides, it ensures that shipped products stay within a pre-defined temperature range in logistics, which does not compromise quality.
Temperature sensors used in:
Managing AC and refrigerator temperature.
Monitoring smart building’s temperature.
Monitoring soil temperature to manage farming.
Food storage.
Pressure IoT sensors
Pressure IoT sensors can detect pressure variations and send pressure-related data to controlling systems. These sensors are primarily used in manufacturing, agriculture, water supply, and heating systems.
Pressure sensors are used in:
Monitoring hydraulic and pneumatic systems of the machines to ensure productivity.
Plumbing systems.
Calculating altitude and airspeed in the aircraft.
Oil wells.
Smoke IoT sensors
Smoke IoT sensors can detect smoke and send data to the controlling system. In offices, residential buildings, HVAC buildings, and factories, smoke sensors sense smoke, fire, or harmful gas and buzz alarms to notify the surroundings.
Smoke sensors used in:
Greenhouse and agricultural settings.
Vehicles.
Commercial kitchens.
Mines and underground places.
Offices.
IR sensors
IR radiation is one type of electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths than visible light. However, it is shorter than microwaves. IR sensors assist in identifying and responding to infrared radiation in an electromagnetic field. Various types of IR sensors are available, according to needs.
IR sensors used in:
Security cameras.
Controlling electronic devices such as TVs, air conditioners, etc.
Fire detection systems.
Robotics.
Level IoT sensors
Level IoT sensors can detect the changing levels of liquid, solid, and other substances within a vessel, tank, container, and more. After reaching an already-defined limit, they send a signal to the dedicated device. Therefore, they enable automation and prevent overflows in various industries.
Level sensors used in:
Irrigation systems and storage tanks.
Sewage, sludge, and wastewater in treatment plants.
Washing machines, coffee makers, and dishwashers.
Environmental monitoring equipment.
Flow sensors
Flow IoT sensors can measure the rate of fluids, such as liquids and gas, passing through a system or pipe. According to the specific fluid types and measurement requirements, it comes in various kinds. Those are vortex flow sensors, turbine flow sensors, pressure flow sensors, rotatory piston sensors, and others.
Flow sensors are used in:
Manufacturing, processing, and industrial automation systems.
Managing the flow of oil and gas in energy sectors.
Aircraft fuel flow management.
Water treatment plants.
Optical IoT Sensors
Optical sensors can transform lights into electrical signals and allow the signals to measure and interpret electromagnetic energy. Digital devices can easily interpret these forms. With their accuracy and versatility, optical sensors can detect, count, and locate objects without physical sensors.
Optical sensors are utilized in optical fiber communication, digital optical switches, oil and gas applications, and transportation fields. They are not affected by electromagnetic or electrical disturbances.
Optical Sensors used in:
Measuring light levels for brightness in smartphones and digital cameras.
Color sorting machines.
Medical imaging equipment, including dental scanners, endoscopes, etc.
Reading barcodes in several industries.
Conclusion
There is a wide range of sensors available in the market to measure every aspect of the environment or a factory. These sensors ranges from motion sensors to energy monitoring solutions. When combined with a communication system and processor, these sensors can turn a normal device into a smart device and create a wider network. The aforementioned IoT sensors are primary examples of essential sensors integrated into daily life.
FAQ
Q. What does IoT stand for?
A: The full form of IoT is the Internet of Things. It is a collective network hub of several connected devices that creates communication between them and cloud systems.
Q. How many types of sensors are in IoT?
A: There are 14 types of sensors in IoT, including Accelerometers, temperature sensors, optical sensors, flow sensors, and pressure sensors.
Q. How do IoT sensors work?
A: IoT sensors are connected to IoT devices. These devices collect data from sensors with an IoT gateway. The IoT gateway is a central hub for sensor data. It can also send the data to a local device for analysis with the human eye.
