Top 13 Industrial IoT sensors for 2024

Did you know that the world of the Internet of Things (IoT) is closely intertwined with many sensors? These discrete devices play a key role in our daily lives, silently collecting and transmitting data that shapes our digital world.

In this guide, we unlock the value of IoT sensors-from the ubiquitous temperature sensors that regulate our environment to the wireless IoT sensors that are changing our world for the better. Here, we will look at sensors and actuators in IoT and their role in the global system.

Join us as we explore IoT sensors and actuators to understand this dynamic duo that enables real-time response and automation.

Introduction to IoT sensors

IoT is a global network of devices that collect data from sensors, transmit it, and process the data through a global network. The received data is used by a person to understand the current situation and make the right decision. With their help, safety in enterprises is increased, costs are significantly reduced, and labor is automated.

IoT sensors detect physical parameters of the environment and transmit the received data for further processing. In their work, they use parameters like heat, touch, electric, or magnetic field.

Sensors are divided into two types:

• Active. They work only if they are powered by a power source.
• Passive. They measure changes in the environment without additional power supply (example: IoT temperature sensors)

IoT technologies are often combined with new technologies, such as highly acclaimed artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, to simplify and accelerate data processing. For example, based on the data received from a weather station, AI tools can realize a reliable model of weather changes many days in advance.

What happens to the data gathered by IoT sensors?

The collected data from IoT sensors is transferred to cloud-based solutions for storage and further processing. The data can be processed either by a human or in flow mode with the help of AI.

For example, in our specific use case you can find out how agriculture IoT solutions empower agricultural practices by providing real-time data on soil conditions and environmental factors.

Difference between sensors and actuators in IoT

The seamless transfer of data from sensors to the cloud initiates a transformative process. Predictive analytics, machine learning, and sophisticated software processes analyze this data, offering actionable insights to farmers. As the agricultural landscape grows in scale, automation steps in, with actuators playing a vital role. Actuators, as the “doers” in the IoT ecosystem, respond to real-time data from sensors, driving physical processes like automated irrigation and controlled greenhouse conditions.

In essence, the synergy between IoT sensors and actuators creates a closed-loop system that optimizes agricultural processes for enhanced productivity and sustainability. Whether on small farms or vast industrial landscapes, the benefits of integrating IoT sensors and actuators are profound.

A sensor converts physical information about the environment into digital signals, while actuators convert the resulting electrical or digital signal into an action. Actuators are a universal solution because they can be used in the control of many devices.

Sensors in IoT

• Temperature
• Humidity
• Fire detection
• Light
• Proximity
• Gas detection
• Predictive maintenance
• Soil moisture
• Smart parking
• Flood detection
• Smart lighting
• Infrared
• Chemical

The most popular IoT industrial sensors

• IoT temperature sensors. Temperature sensors help collect information about the temperature of an object or environment. These sensors are common and are used everywhere in the home and industry. Almost all devices in your home or office have them. They can be physical or electronic.
• IoT humidity sensors. Moisture sensors monitor measurements of moisture levels in the environment. It detects changes by sending electronic signals to the surface, which it converts into a digital signal.
• Fire detection sensors. Fire detection sensors are used to detect ignition or smoke in a room and activate a fire extinguishing system or call for special services.
• Light sensors. Light sensors are photosensitive elements that are used to detect the source of the visible color spectrum. These sensors are used in street lighting, indoor lighting, and automatic day lighting in automobiles.
• Proximity sensors. Proximity sensors help determine the distance to an object or a person. Such sensors are used in almost all spheres. For example, they activate video cameras, turn on lighting, simplify parking, and activate security systems. They are divided into infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors, and LIDAR.
• Gas detection sensors. Gas sensors are used to find and detect gas in the environment. This helps detect potentially dangerous gases for humans indoors or outdoors to prevent accidents. As an example, hydrogen sulfide, a gas that is not detected in time, causes a violent explosion when burned.
• IoT agriculture sensors. Global challenges, including a surging population and depleting natural resources, compel the agricultural sector to innovate. With the world needing 70% more food by 2050, traditional farming faces unprecedented pressure. The shift towards smart farming, powered by the Internet of Things, emerges as a pivotal solution. Precision agriculture, a key IoT application, optimizes resource use, boosts yields, and lowers costs. The global smart agriculture market is set to triple by 2025, reaching $15.3 billion according to Zion Market Research. This surge is fueled by real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and innovations like agricultural drones and smart greenhouses. As the sector embraces IoT, businesses have a unique chance to partake in this transformative journey. The promise: increased agricultural production in a cost-effective, sustainable manner.
• Predictive maintenance sensors. They are used for monitoring the condition of equipment and individual components and for timely signaling the need for maintenance or repair.
• Soil moisture sensors. Used in agriculture to measure soil moisture levels, to automate irrigation or fertilizer application.
• Smart waste management. Sensors can monitor the level of fullness of the waste bin and alert the business owner to the need for waste collection. This increases the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of waste collection.

Wireless IoT sensors

• Patient condition monitoring sensors.Wearable sensors are used to collect data on the patient's organizational status and use wireless (wired) technology to exchange data. The work of health care professionals is greatly simplified because they receive data on all patients from their work computer.
• Chemical sensors.They are typically used in manufacturing industries to determine the composition of liquids or air parameters. They are also used in medicine to analyze the patient's biological fluids. In large cities, they are used to determine environmental pollution.
• IR sensors.IR sensors are becoming a popular solution due to the ability to use infrared radiation to determine environmental parameters. In medical IoT, they are used to determine blood pressure and oxygen saturation. Taking into account such factors, in the future, IR sensors will be frequently used in the construction of smart homes.

Conclusion

We have looked at the main applications of IoT sensors in life, manufacturing and building smart systems. Since technology never stops evolving, we will see IoT sensors take over the technology space in the future, as they are so versatile, cheap to produce, and compact that they are so convenient to use in the workplace.

In conclusion, the presence of IoT sensors, from temperature control in industrial environments to making a difference in agriculture, underscores their key role in our interconnected world. As we marvel at the seamless connectivity of wireless IoT sensors and ponder the fate of the data collected, one truth becomes clear - IoT sensors are not just devices. They are a technological marvel that is changing the world for the better every day. The journey into the limitless world of IoT sensors is just beginning, promising innovation, efficiency, and a future defined by connectivity.

Are you interested in connecting your IoT sensors to the IoT platform? Try the robust Kaa IoT platform to effortlessly connect your devices and visualize the collected data. Also, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.