Sensors and sensing methods used by robots to acquire information about themselves or their surroundings. Excludes: The later control decision, locomotion hardware, or general AI unrelated to a robot.
Test your knowledge with these top questions!
What do infrared line-following robots detect from the floor surface?
White paper and black electrical tape can return different amounts of infrared; the contrast also changes with sensor height.
What distinguishes active infrared sensors from passive sensors?
An active robot sensor shines its own beam, while a porch motion light only watches for shifting body heat.
In a depth camera's image, what does each pixel's depth value represent?
Each depth pixel stores how far that point sits from the lens, letting robots build a 3D map of a scene.
What does a smartphone proximity sensor do during a phone call?
The sensor detects the face nearby and blanks the display to prevent accidental cheek touches.
What does a force-guided robot detect when a peg jams during insertion?
Force-guided insertion can use small spiral searches to find a hole before pushing the part into it.
How does a structured-light depth camera measure the shape of objects?
The camera shines dots or stripes onto a scene, and bends in the pattern reveal curves and dents.
What triggers a touch-free soap dispenser to release a dose?
A sensor starts a motor-driven pump, so the user doesn't have to touch a shared button.
What invisible energy do infrared sensors detect from warm objects?
Thermal cameras detect emitted infrared radiation, so they can show warm bodies even without visible light.
Which game console used the Kinect depth camera to track players without controllers?
Kinect watched body joints with infrared depth sensing, so players could jump and dance with no controller in hand.
How many independent components does a typical robot wrist force-torque sensor measure?
Three axes measure pushes and pulls, and three measure twisting, separating a sideways force from a turning load.