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Types of Sensors
Sensors are used to monitor and control systems, gather data for analysis, and enable automation in a wide
range of fields, including manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and environmental monitoring.
Let us study the various types of sensors used in robotics where each type provides a specific purpose.
Vision Sensor
A vision sensor is a type of sensor that captures visual information from the surrounding environment. It allows
a robot to see and perceive its surroundings, similar to how humans use their eyes. Vision sensors are crucial in
robotics for tasks such as object recognition, tracking, navigation, and even visual feedback during manipulation.
They enable the robot to gather visual data and process it to make informed decisions or take appropriate actions.
An example of a vision sensor commonly used in robotics is a camera. A camera captures images or video of
the robot’s environment and provides visual input for analysis and decision-making. There are various types of
cameras used in robotics, including digital cameras, RGB cameras, depth cameras, or stereo cameras. Let’s take
a depth camera, such as the Microsoft Kinect, as an example.
The Microsoft Kinect is a vision sensor that combines a camera with an infrared projector and a depth sensor.
It captures RGB images, infrared images, and depth information simultaneously. The RGB images provide color
information, while the depth sensor measures the distance from the camera to objects in the scene.
With the help of the depth information, the Kinect can create a 3D map of the environment by calculating
the distance of each pixel from the camera. This allows the robot to perceive the depth and shape of objects,
enabling tasks like object recognition, scene understanding, or obstacle detection.
For instance, a robot equipped with a Kinect sensor can recognize and locate objects in its environment. It can
analyze the RGB images to detect objects based on colour, shape, or texture. Simultaneously, the depth sensor
provides information about the distances to those objects. This combined data allows the robot to estimate the
size, position, and orientation of the objects in 3D space.
The vision sensor’s output can be further processed using algorithms like image processing, computer vision, or
deep learning techniques. This enables the robot to perform more complex tasks such as visual tracking, following
a specific object, or even interacting with humans based on their gestures or facial expressions.
Tactile Sensor
A tactile sensor is a type of sensor that detects and measures physical contact or pressure. It allows a robot to
sense and perceive tactile information, similar to how humans use their sense of touch. Tactile sensors are crucial
in robotics for tasks such as object manipulation, grasping, force control, or human-robot interaction. They
enable the robot to gather tactile feedback and adjust its actions accordingly.
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