Sensor fusion is most frequently discussed in smartphone and automotive control applications. However, the fusion aspect was initially created for military analysis. From the analysis standpoint, for improved decision-making, medical applications can and have benefited from sensor fusion. One example is in cancer detection and focused surgery. Specifically, the detection of and surgery for prostate […]
How do diffuse, retroreflective, and through-beam ultrasonic sensors differ?
Ultrasonic frequencies are above the human audio range — higher than 20 kHz. Operating in this frequency range, ultrasonic sensors are commonly used for measuring proximity (distance), determining the level in storage tanks, detecting objects, and more. Ultrasonic sensors provide a non-contact sensing technique by measuring the time it takes for sound to travel to […]
How will sensors be used to increase warehouse automation?
Many of today’s warehouses have been or are in the process of transitioning from strictly a manual or conventional warehouse to a partially and eventually a fully automated warehouse. Depending on the level of sophistication, any automated process requires a variety of sensing technologies. Research from one company predicts that over 75% of companies will […]
What is normal blood pressure?
If you answered 120 over 80 mmHg, you are using criteria that is over 20 years old. As reported in a 2003 article, revised guidelines categorized normal blood pressure as <120/80 mmHg. Since the measurements are meant to lower the risks from not recognizing what is often called the silent killer – high blood pressure […]
How will NHTSA’s AEB mandate impact sensing?
In 2019, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a draft pedestrian automatic emergency braking (PAEB) test procedure. When, the results of testing conducted in 2022 on 12 light vehicles were published in 2023 (2022 Light Vehicle Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking Test Summary, March 2023), one conclusion was: No vehicles […]
How sensors help you play ball: part 3
Sensing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup soccer ball consists of a 6-axis motion sensor, a 3-axis magnetometer, a pressure sensor (in one version), and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. The 0 to 2 bar (0 to 29 pounds per square inch (psi)) pressure sensor with 0.025 (0.36 psi) resolution can confirm that the ball is within […]
How sensors help you play ball: part 2
A FIFA-compliant match ball from Adidas has a TDK InvenSense 6-axis MotionTracking device and other electronics mounted in the center of the ball. As shown in Figure 1, the Adidas patented suspension system stabilizes the electronics module. Instead of having the sensing/communication module mounted on the surface of the ball near the inflator valve, the […]
How sensors help you play ball: part 1
In addition to the respect and pride of accomplishment that winning in any sport provides, if it’s done at the professional level, the monetary rewards of winning can be great as well. In fact, exceptional performance can create a lasting legacy for a player, a team, and a coach. This gives coaches, trainers, and the […]
What role does sensing play in a flying car?
Will your first or perhaps your next sports car be capable of flying? If you are looking for the cool factor, the Samson Sky Switchblade Flying Car is certainly worth checking out. Completing its first flight on Nov. 9, 2023, after 14 years of design and rigorous testing, the flight test data will enable the […]
What’s the difference between sensors used in underwater, flying, and creeping robots or drones? part 4
Multimodal robots that can fly and walk or crawl have been the basis of research for many years. In 2016, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s GRASP Laboratory reported the development of the Picobug with multimodal characteristics of climbing, jumping, and gliding, or even flying and swimming. With a research paper detailing many executed and […]
