Sensors / Motion

An assortment of the most common sensors used in electronics. 9 sensors and 3 additional components to interface with the 'analog world'. We have some tutorials here, to get you started. Includes Triple-axis analog accelerometer - for measuring motion and tilt. Force sensitive resistor - for sensing pressure/force. Temperature sensor - for measuring from -40 to over...

An anemometer is a device used for measuring wind speed, and is a common weather station instrument. This well made anemometer is designed to sit outside and measure wind speed with ease. To use, connect the black wire to power and signal ground, the brown wire to 7-24VDC (we used 9V with success) and measure the analog voltage on the blue wire. The voltage will...

The "poor man's" accelerometer! Tilt sensors are switches that can detect basic motion/orientation. The metal tube has a little metal ball that rolls around in it, when its tilted upright, the ball rolls onto the contacts sticking out of end and shorts them together. Be sure to read our detailed tutorial including diagrams and example code.

The "poor man's" accelerometer/motion sensor! These spring-vibration switches are high sensitivity non-directional vibration induced trigger switches. Inside is a very soft spring coiled around a long metal pin. When the switch is moved, the spring touches the center pole to make contact. So, when there's motion, the two pins will act like a closed switch. When...

Infrared (IR) break-beam sensors are a simple way to detect motion. They work by having an emitter side that sends out a beam of human-invisible IR light, then a receiver across the way which is sensitive to that same light. When something passes between the two, and its not transparent to IR, then the 'beam is broken' and the receiver will let you know. Compared to...

The "poor man's" accelerometer/motion sensor! These spring-vibration switches are low sensitivity non-directional vibration induced trigger switches. Inside is a stiff spring coiled around a long metal pin. When the switch is moved, the spring touches the center pole to make contact. So, when there's motion, the two pins will act like a closed switch. When everything...

The "poor man's" accelerometer/motion sensor! These spring-vibration switches are medium sensitivity non-directional vibration induced trigger switches. Inside is a medium hardness spring coiled around a long metal pin. When the switch is moved, the spring touches the center pole to make contact. So, when there's motion, the two pins will act like a closed switch....

If you want a sensor that's a 3-in-1, the Adafruit APDS9999 Proximity, Lux Light, and Color Sensor has RGB color, lux light level as well as infrared proximity all built into one device. When connected to your microcontroller (running our library code), it can detect the amount of red, blue, green, and clear light, as well as how close an object is to the front of...

This is a low sensitivity, directional vibration-induced trigger switch. Inside is a very soft spring coiled around a long metal pin. When the switch is bumped from the side only, the spring attached to the first pin touches the center pole to make contact with the second pin. So when there's a bump, the two pins will act like a closed switch. When everything is...

PIR sensors are used to detect motion from pets/humanoids from about 5 meters away (possibly works on zombies, not guaranteed). This sensor is much smaller than most PIR modules, which makes it great for unobtrusive projects. It's also fully contained and very configurable. After you've provided power and ground, you can use the remaining 3 pins to configure whether...

Infrared (IR) break-beam sensors are a simple way to detect motion. They work by having an emitter side that sends out a beam of human-invisible IR light, then a receiver across the way which is sensitive to that same light. When something passes between the two, and its not transparent to IR, then the 'beam is broken' and the receiver will let you know. Compared to...

This breakout is chock full o' sensors! Add basic gesture sensing, RGB color sensing, proximity sensing, or ambient light sensing to your project with the Adafruit APDS9960 Proximity, Light, RGB, and Gesture Sensor. When connected to your microcontroller (running our library code) it can detect simple gestures (left to right, right to left, up to down, down to up are...

Laser break beam sensors are usually kind of cumbersome. They work by detecting an object breaking a laser beam - but you usually have to set up a laser on one end and a sensor on the other. Unless your sensor is big, it can easily get out of alignment. ...but not this break beam sensor. It has a light sensor+lens next to the laser to detect the reflected dot when...