Major instances of sensors used in IoT (Internet of Things) applications

Saranraj

Saran

September 30, 2022 Author

With the advancement in technology, the Internet of Things has seen major improvements during the last few years. Having several architecture layers and a network of connected devices communicating with each other helps in building important and efficient applications. The elements involved within an IoT ecosystem may vary based on the scope of application. Generally, the tools share data collection mechanisms and consider the sensor types reliable. In this blog, we are going to delineate the different types of sensors for the Internet of Things that are used for capturing essential information and offering real-world solutions.   

What are IoT sensors?

IoT Sensors are mainly devices that detect and actively respond to changes in an environment. Inputs range between different sources such as temperature, motion and pressure. The sensors offer important information and as they are connected to the network, they have the potential to share data with other connected devices and management systems. IoT sensors are becoming increasingly important for enhancing operational functionality, improving workers' safety and thereby diminishing costs. 

IoT Sensors are popular as they have the potential to warn of any impending danger that could become big problems if not taken care of. It enables businesses to perform predictive maintenance and prevent costly downtime. Data gathered from sensors can be used for acquiring insights into important trends and making determined decisions.  

Important sensor types for IoT applications

Important sensor types for IoT applications

Humidity sensors

Humidity sensors are capable of measuring the amount of water vapor present in the air. IoT-infused humidity sensors are mainly found in vents, and heating, for predicting weather in weather stations and air conditioning systems across different industry domains. 

Temperature sensors

IoT integrated temperature sensors have the ability to measure the amount of heat energy within a source enabling them to detect temperature changes and convert these changes to data. Manufacturing industry sectors are using IoT sensors for detecting device temperatures and measuring soil temperature for crop growth.   

Level sensors

Level sensors are useful for the potential detection of levels of substances comprising powders, liquids and other materials. Industry domains such as water treatment, oil manufacturing, and beverage manufacturing make use of level sensors. Waste management makes effective use of IoT-level sensors.   

Proximity sensors

Proximity sensors have multiple applications and use cases. It is used for non-contact detection of objects near the sensors. These sensors generally work for detecting electromagnetic field emissions and beams of radiation. IoT-infused proximity sensors can be used in parking areas of shopping malls, airports and stadiums. 

Gas sensors

Gas sensors detect and monitor changes in air quality such as the presence of toxic and dangerous gas presence. Several industry sectors such as chemical research, mining, oil and gas use gas sensors for detecting gas levels. Nextbrain offers effective Internet of Things Development comprising creating IoT applications with sensors integrated. We have an expert development team to create unique IoT applications for clients. 

Pressure sensors

IoT technology infused with pressure sensors is capable of detecting changes in gas and liquids. As the pressure changes, the sensor detects the change and interacts with connected systems. The most frequent use cases include leak detection, pressure drop changes, and detecting fluctuations in pressure.  

Optical sensors

Numerous use cases and applications are present for IoT-infused optical sensors. Nowadays, many vehicles use optical sensors for identifying obstacles, signs, and others for drivers’ assistance. Optical sensors play a major role in the development of driverless cars and are used in smartphones too. In different fields of the biomedical domain, IoT optical sensors are used for heart rate monitoring and breathing analysis. 

Water quality sensors  

Definite use of IoT sensors is evinced in water quality monitoring systems. It can help determine the quality of water. The devices are implemented in the water filtration and distribution systems. Portable water monitoring can ensure water quality compliance with safety standards which, in turn, decreases water-borne diseases and improves median life standards. With the adoption of IoT technology in water monitoring, one can create smart systems that assist in monitoring the number of contaminants in the water. 

Water quality sensors help in sea pollution level management. This is relevant as sea pollution can affect marine life, disturb biodiversity and can lead to major problems in the overall ecosystem chain. IoT sea pollution meters make the effective usage of OPR, pH and IoT sensors for measuring the acid-base balance of the water.    

Infrared sensors

Infrared sensors are highly effective in detecting features in surroundings like detecting infrared radiation present in the environment of the space. It has the ability to detect the heat emitted by objects. As a leading IoT app development company, Nextbrain offers effective IoT technology solutions for different industry domains that develop robust IoT-infused app platforms for businesses. In distinct IoT projects, infrared sensors play an important role in managing healthcare by streamlining the monitoring process of blood flow and blood pressure. Nowadays, smart televisions use infrared sensors for interpreting the signals sent from a remote control. 

Image sensors

Image sensors are devices that have the potential to translate image data into a digital signal that can be later transmitted to the network. Image sensors are highly useful in security equipment, healthcare, biometric tools, aquatic fish visions, and night vision experiments.    

Conclusion

IoT infrastructure systems are robust and complex. Developers use multiple IoT sensors to build IoT app platforms with agile methodologies and techniques. The distinct types of sensors used in IoT applications are water quality, temperature, gas, motion and many more. At Nextbrain, we have many years of knowledge in working with distinct sensors and platforms for IoT application development. As the top IoT app development company, we create unique applications and data analytics solutions for clients. We have a team of dedicated developers who develop unique IoT app platforms for businesses.