Exoskeletons that enhance a human’s capabilities or enable a human to more readily perform normal tasks are being pursued by several organizations. The former design requirements are the military’s goals, but backpackers and other healthy individuals can take advantage of these designs as well. The latter are desired by individuals with disabilities or physical limitations. […]
What increases a robot’s security capabilities?
The thalamus provides a relay station for the body’s motor functions and sensory inputs. It enables the control of the flow of sensory-motor information to the cerebral cortex. This control occurs during sleep, wakefulness, consciousness, learning, and memory. The sensory information processed includes hearing, taste, sight, and touch—but not smell. Recognizing this essential control over […]
How do sensing, drones, and AI improve crop growth?
Successfully growing high-value crops such as fruit (citrus, apples, grapes, cherries, kiwis, table grapes, pomegranates, and more) and nuts (almonds, pecans, pistachios, and more) requires farmers’ continuous attention. If a problem is not detected, the crop yield could be significantly reduced. Sensors provide the foundation and play an essential role in the evolving detection processes. […]
What role does sensing play in reducing potholes?
In the distant past, the “eye in the sky” was a radio report on local traffic, especially during rush hour, provided by a reporter/observer and based on their observations from a helicopter or low-flying aircraft. For real-time radio reports, sensing was not necessary. Evolving into TV reporting and planning before departing for work (long before […]
How will sensing become part of 6G cellular?
As many people worldwide are still getting used to, benefiting from the improvements, and confronting the shortcomings of 5G cellular, standards organizations and industry cooperatives are busy preparing for 6G. This next-generation communications network will add sensing to its capabilities. Called integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) or joint communications and sensing (JCAS), the addition of […]
How do you sense water hammer?
Water hammer is the audible noise resulting from the hydraulic shock that occurs when a valve shuts off the flow of water or any other liquid too quickly. The high-pressure spike or pressure transient produced in this situation can cause permanent damage to pipes and other equipment. A rather straightforward equation makes calculating the water […]
What sensors and measurements can prevent HAVS?
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) injuries can occur in industrial and other work situations. Also called Raynaud’s phenomenon, vibration-induced white finger, and traumatic vasospastic disease, HAVS has been well known and documented since 1918. It is a prevalent occupational hazard in the construction, forestry, manufacturing, and mining industries, where workers are at high risk of developing […]
How can you detect LEL?
For combustible gases, the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) or Lower Flammable Limit (LFL) is the minimum concentration of vapor in air below which the propagation of the flame does not occur when it contacts an ignition source, such as a spark or flame. In a specific area or space, if the LEL of a gas […]
What pressure levels impact the eardrum?
Previous blogs have discussed human body pressures including blood pressure and optical pressures. However, there are several more pressure measurements for different body locations that need to be considered. For example, the pressures created by different situations on the human ear, and specifically the eardrum, are critically important. High noise environments such as industrial machinery […]
How Matter impacts sensors: part 2
Part 1 of this article discussed sensors and products compatible with the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) Matter standard that were announced at CES 2024. This included a Matter-compliant bridge that allows previously available products to be Matter-compliant. Compliant products gain the benefits of ease of interconnectivity via Wi-Fi and increased security through Matter’s use of […]
