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Where Do We Encounter IoT Sensors?

  • Starter
  • Article
  • Ages 10+
  • 4 min read
A soil moisture sensor beside young greenhouse plants, illustrating IoT sensing in agriculture.

A sensor used in an IoT system measures something; the system can share its reading over a connection. These sensors appear in homes, on farms, in healthcare and in cities, measuring things such as soil moisture or heart rate.

Contents
IoT sensors turn up in homes, on farms, in healthcare and in cities.
  • The home
  • The farm
  • Healthcare
  • The city

What you will learn

  • Name four places where IoT sensors are used.
  • Describe what a sensor measures in each of those places.
  • Spot an IoT sensor in a place you know.

Before you start

Read "What Is the Internet of Things?" first. Knowing that a sensor measures something is enough.

Which sensors are in a smart home?

A smart home uses IoT devices to measure home conditions, manage home appliances and control home access.

A sensor at the door is one example. A floor sensor is another.

For older people, these sensors can help switch hard-to-reach devices on and off. They can even detect falls, using floor or camera sensors.

In a home, sensors can sit at the door, on the floor and on the wall.
  • A sensor at the door
  • A floor sensor
  • A sensor measuring home conditions

Which sensors work on a farm?

On a farm, many sensors can be placed in the soil to measure soil moisture. Farmers can use that to build systems that use irrigation water better.

In protected agriculture, sensors can monitor environmental conditions and plant or animal vital signs. In greenhouses specifically, cameras can capture crop diseases and insect pests.

On a farm, a sensor in the soil can show when water is needed.
  • A soil moisture sensor
  • An irrigation sprinkler
  • A crop plant
The sensor's light shows dry soil; after the sprinkler waters the plant, the soil darkens and the light turns calm.

Which sensors help in healthcare?

Some medical sensors connect to IoT to measure temperature, respiration or heart rate.

They can be used in crucial medical equipment such as ECG monitors, glucose level sensing and oxygen monitoring. These readings can be sensitive, so privacy and security matter.

An IoT-connected medical device can send a reading to a screen.
  • An IoT-connected medical device with a sensor
  • A screen showing the readings

Which sensors are in a city?

In a smart city, IoT can gather and analyze data on climate, emissions, traffic, waste management and disasters.

A smart bin is an easy one to picture. Some systems use ultrasonic sensors to estimate the waste level by measuring the time between sending sound and receiving its echo.

In a city, sensors can sit in bins, in buildings and along the road.
  • A smart bin with a sensor measuring fill level from above
  • Buildings
  • A road with traffic

Real-world example

Look around your street or your school with an adult. Can you find a door, a bin or a plant that might have a sensor? You will probably not see the sensor itself. Think about what it could measure, and where the reading would be useful.

Common misunderstandings

IoT sensors are only for gadgets in a home. The same idea is used on farms, in healthcare and in cities.

Every sensor measures only one thing. Sensors and sensor systems can provide multiple measurements. For example, in protected agriculture they can provide information about temperature, humidity, wind speed, plant diseases, insect pests and animal vital signs.

Frequently asked questions

What is an example of an IoT sensor at home?

A floor or camera sensor that can detect a fall is one example. A sensor at the door is another, because smart homes can control home access.

Do farms use IoT sensors?

Yes. Sensors in the soil can measure soil moisture, and greenhouse sensors can provide temperature and humidity.

Are there IoT sensors in cities?

Yes. Smart cities can gather data on traffic and waste management. Some bins use ultrasonic sensors to estimate fill level from the distance to the waste surface.

Summary

  • Sensors in connected IoT systems take measurements and can share their readings.
  • At home they measure home conditions and can detect falls; on farms they measure soil moisture.
  • In healthcare they measure body signals such as heart rate, and in cities they help with traffic and waste.

Terms in this article

English and Vietnamese terms, with the meanings used here. Hover, tap or Tab to a term with a dotted underline for an explanation as you read.

IoT sensorCảm biến IoT
A sensor used in an IoT system to measure a quantity; the system can share the reading over a network.
Smart homeNhà thông minh
A home using connected devices to monitor conditions and control appliances or access.
Soil moistureĐộ ẩm của đất
Water present in soil, monitored by sensors to help manage irrigation.
Smart cityThành phố thông minh
A city using data and connected technology to support activities such as traffic and waste management.
Medical sensorCảm biến y tế
A sensor measuring health-related information, such as temperature or heart rate; some connect to IoT.
IrrigationTưới tiêu
Supplying water to crops; sensor data can help use that water more efficiently.
Smart binThùng rác thông minh
A bin fitted with sensors to provide data for waste management.

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Sources

These sources are written for older readers. If they feel hard, read them with an adult.