How Robots Sense
How does a robot know that a wall is nearby, a person has entered the room, or the sunlight has become stronger? It uses sensors to turn physical information into signals its controller can interpret.
🔎 Sensor Detective: Explore the real components
These are actual electronic modules. Select any numbered marker to identify the component and discover how it can be used in robotics.
Can you name the sensor?
Look closely at its shape, connectors and sensing element. Click a number to reveal the answer.
The sensor labels are based on the supplied hardware identification. The exact model of the infrared module remains provisional.
What do sensors actually measure?
Different sensors rely on different physical principles. An ultrasonic sensor measures the travel time of a sound pulse. A PIR sensor detects changes in infrared radiation. A microwave motion sensor can detect movement through reflected radio waves. These are not interchangeable, even if some can solve similar problems.
A robot must avoid bumping into furniture. Which sensor would you select? What if it also needs to detect whether somebody is moving in a dark room?