ROBOTICS SENSING

Sensors

Sensors in Robotics refer to a mechanical function used to calculate the condition and
environment of a robot. This sensor is based on the functions of the human sensory organs. Robots
receive a broad range of data about their surroundings, such as position, size, orientation, velocity,
distance, temperature, weight, force, etc. This information is what allows the robot to function efficiently
while interacting with its environment to perform complex tasks.

Types of Robot Sensors

• Light Sensors
• Sound Sensor
• Temperature Sensor
• Contact Sensor
• Proximity Sensor
• Distance Sensor
• Pressure Sensors
• Tilt Sensors
• Navigation / Positioning Sensors

Light Sensors
Used to detect light and create a voltage difference. The two main light sensors generally used in
robots are Photoresistor and Photovoltaic cells.

• Photoresistor is a type of resistor whose resistance varies with change in light intensity; more
light leads to less resistance and less light leads to more resistance. These inexpensive sensors
can be easily implemented in most light dependent robots.

• Photovoltaic cells convert solar radiation into electrical energy. This is especially helpful if you
are planning to build a solar robot. Although photovoltaic cell is considered as an energy source,
an intelligent implementation combined with transistors and capacitors can convert this into a
sensor.

Sound Sensor

This sensor detects sound and returns a voltage proportional to the sound level. A simple robot
can be designed to navigate based on the sound it receives. Imagine a robot which turns right for one
clap and turns left for two claps. Complex robots can use the same microphone for speech and voice
recognition.

Temperature Sensor

This sensor measures the temperature of its environment and converts the input data into
electronic data to record, monitor, or signal temperature changes.
Contact Sensor

Require physical contact against other objects to trigger. These sensors are mostly used for
obstacle avoidance robots. When these switches hit an obstacle, it triggers the robot to do a task, which
can be reversing, turning, switching on a LED, Stopping etc.

Proximity Sensor

This is a type of sensor which can detect the presence of a nearby object within a given distance,
without any physical contact. The working principle of a Proximity sensor is simple. A transmitter
transmits an electromagnetic radiation or creates an electrostatic field and a receiver receives and
analyzes the return signal for interruptions.

• Infrared (IR) Transceivers: An IR LED transmits a beam of IR light and if it finds an obstacle, the
light is simply reflected back which is captured by an IR receiver. Few IR transceivers can also be
used for distance measurement.
• Ultrasonic Sensor: These sensors generate high frequency sound waves; the received echo
suggests an object interruption. Ultrasonic Sensors can also be used for distance measurement.
• Photoresistor: Photoresistor is a light sensor; but, it can still be used as a proximity sensor. When
an object comes in close proximity to the sensor, the amount of light changes which in turn
changes the resistance of the Photoresistor. This change can be detected and processed.

Distance Sensor

• Encoders: a sensing device that offers feedback in robotics. It sends feedback signals that can be
employed in determining count, position, direction, or speed. They convert a motion to an
electrical signal that can be interpreted by a control device of sorts in a motion control system.
Such a control device then uses the information to send a command for a specific function.
• Stereo Camera: Two cameras placed adjacent to each other can provide depth information using
its stereo vision. Processing the data received from a camera is difficult for a robot with minimal
processing power and memory. If opted for, they make a valuable addition to your robot.

Pressure Sensors

Tactile pressure sensors are useful in robotics as they are sensitive to touch, force and pressure.
If you design a robot hand and need to measure the amount of grip and pressure required to hold an
object, then this is what you would want to use.

Tilt Sensors

Tilt sensors measure tilt of an object. In a typical analog tilt sensor, a small amount of mercury is
suspended in a glass bulb. When mercury flows towards one end, it closes a switch which suggests a tilt.
Navigation/Positioning Sensors

These are sensors that aid the accurate and precise determination of an object’s position in
space. Technologies used in positioning, range from worldwide coverage with meter accuracy to
workspace coverage with sub-millimeter accuracy.

• GPS (Global Positioning System) is a space-based system of radio navigation. It consists of a

constellation of satellites casting navigational signals and a network of satellite control stations
and ground stations used for control and monitoring. It does not require the user to transmit any
data and independently operates free of any internet or telephonic reception.
• Digital Magnetic Compass: a navigational device capable of showing referential directions
relative to the earth’s surface and can be a valuable sensor for robots in navigating their
surroundings. It is aligned with the Earth’s magnetic field and comprises a magnetized pointer
that is usually marked at the North, and a magnetized needle or bar moving freely upon an axis.
• Localization refers to the robot’s ability to identify its position in a given space and within its
environment. This is considered important since there are no physical sensors to directly report
and measure a robot’s pose, and depending on the application, a range of sensors is used to
measure and infer the data measured.