Last updated: 14 November 2019
When thinking about the possibilities for the Internet of Things, a great place for insight and inspiration is the Arduino catalogue. Whilst Java developers working on IoT projects may have a passing familiarity with some of the more common sensors – gyroscopes, photodiodes and beyond – there is a lot more on offer these days. And indeed, it could be a great source of inspiration for our IoTMakers.
To take a random selection from the Arduino webstore:
- Potentiometers detecting position: could be used to trigger an action when an object is moved – potential applications in home security, device tracking and more.
- Hall sensors detecting magnetic fields. These could form a really fascinating trigger for action; strap a small magnet to any object and it can become a switch for an Internet of Things outcome. For example, magnetometers can be used to detect the presence of metal, or variations of the earth’s magnetic field (which is the basis for the detection of earthquakes).
- Tilt sensors and accelerometers: perhaps particularly useful on an IoT equipped boat? It could be used to help stabilize the sensation of being on such a vessel, and be used to help address sea-sickness.
- Touch sensors: making the human being a node in the Internet of Things, triggering a machine to machine action – for example, boiling the kettle when you touch the handle of your front door.
These are just a few of the selection on offer. There’s lots of inspiration on the Arduino blog as well (see their sensor tagged content), so I’d really recommend that as further reading on the subject. And, of course, some of these sensors could be a perfect partner for our Cinterion Concept Board, which is one of the prizes you can win by participating in our IoTMaker challenge – time hasn’t run out yet, the entry deadline is now extended to 30th November.
Which Arduino sensors have you used in IoT projects, and what for? Let us know in the comments
Update: The entry window for the IoT Maker challenge has now closed, stay tuned to the blog for more information.
