All articles tagged with #sensors
The article highlights four sub-$20 smart sensors—Thirdreality temperature and humidity, IKEA Myggspray motion, Aqara vibration, and Sonoff human presence—that work with Zigbee or Matter ecosystems and can trigger automations across Home Assistant, Alexa, Google Home, and more, offering affordable ways to expand monitoring and control without pricey gear.
Researchers from Penn State, MIT, and China developed WE-PPD, a safe, paintable polymer electrode that can be painted directly onto the skin to monitor heart rate, muscle activity, and brain waves. In tests, the electrode maintained about 95% ECG consistency before/after mild sweating and surpassed traditional films in breathability, while remaining flexible (stretching up to ~170%). It could enable tattoo-like, customizable biointerfaces and extended pediatric monitoring, though more safety evaluations—especially MRI compatibility—are needed before clinical use.
The National Science Foundation is funding five new teams—joining four from 2025—with $20 million to design experimental quantum technologies via the National Quantum Virtual Laboratory. Each team will receive $4 million over two years to develop integrated systems in sensors, networks and computing and to prepare for implementation in 2026. The effort includes partnerships with federal labs, industry and educators, and aims to translate quantum research into real-world applications while expanding the quantum workforce.
Ukraine’s use of cheap acoustic and other low-cost sensors to detect drones is prompting the West to rethink air defense, advocating a layered mix of inexpensive and advanced systems to cover low-altitude threats and speed up fielding in future drone warfare.
Sony unveils the Reon Pocket Pro Plus, a refined wearable personal air conditioner that sits around the neck and cools via a chilled metal plate pressed to the skin. The upgrade adds a 2°C cooler plate surface, an improved cooling algorithm yielding about 20% more cooling, a redesigned exhaust vent for adjustable airflow, and a smaller Reon Pocket Tag 2 sensor for more accurate temperature and humidity readings. It will launch in Europe and other markets for €229/£199 (about $270), with no announced US release.
IKEA has quietly launched 21 new smart-home products, including temperature, humidity, air-quality sensors, motion lighting, and remotes, all designed to work with the Matter standard so they can interoperate with existing ecosystems. The range focuses on budget-friendly, stylish devices—such as the ALPSTUGA indoor air quality monitor (around $29.99) and KLIPPBOK water-leak sensors (about $7.99)—that pair with IKEA lighting and other brands. It emphasizes accessibility and interoperability, though some reviewers note variability in connectivity and readings. This marks a notable move by a mainstream retailer to make smart-home tech more affordable and interoperable.
Ikea has launched 21 affordable Matter-compatible smart home devices, including smart bulbs, sensors, remotes, and a smart plug, all designed to be easy to use and integrate with existing smart home platforms, with availability starting as early as this month in select regions.
Apple is expected to introduce a major redesign for the Apple Watch Series 12 in 2026, featuring an innovative eight-sensor ring layout that could significantly improve measurement accuracy and health monitoring capabilities, building on the upcoming Series 11 and Ultra models.
DigiTimes reports that the 2026 Apple Watch lineup will feature significant upgrades including more sensors, a new design, and improved power efficiency, with potential blood pressure detection and enhanced performance, making it one of the most exciting updates in recent years.
A low-cost humidity and temperature sensor, similar to Xiaomi's, can be reprogrammed for custom use. Maker's Fun Duck demonstrates how to modify the device's firmware, which includes an ARM Cortex M0 processor and Bluetooth capabilities, to expand its functionality beyond the vendor's app. The sensor, priced at about a dollar, offers potential for various applications with custom firmware, despite its basic LCD and sensor accuracy concerns.
Apple has been granted a patent for embedding sensors into stretchable fabric bands, potentially enhancing future Apple Watch models with capabilities like blood pressure and ECG monitoring. The patent suggests these sensor bands could wirelessly communicate with other Apple devices and might even include charging circuitry. This innovation could extend to other wearable items, hinting at a broader range of Apple-connected clothing or gear. While the patent indicates ongoing development, it may take time before these features are integrated into consumer products.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed eco-friendly, adaptive sensors inspired by spider silk that can be imperceptibly printed onto various biological surfaces, including human skin and flower petals. These lightweight, high-performance bioelectronic fibers can be used for continuous health monitoring, virtual reality, and environmental monitoring, offering a sustainable and low-waste alternative to traditional sensor technologies.
Non-destructive CT scans of the Apple Vision Pro reveal a meticulous array of cameras, sensors, and technology, showcasing its precise engineering. Lumafield's comparison with Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest Pro highlights the frugal construction and value of the devices, while emphasizing the potential of the Vision Pro as a spatial computer ushering in a new era of technology and media. The detailed teardown offers insights into the design, displays, sensors, processors, batteries, thermal management, and audio systems, particularly highlighting the complex sensor array including eye-tracking IR cameras, LiDAR scanner, TrueDepth camera system, hand tracking cameras, and MEMS microphones.
IKEA has launched three new smart home sensors, including a window and door sensor, a wireless motion detector, and a water leakage detector, all priced under $10. The sensors, named Parasoll, Vallhorn, and Badring, can be used to manage and monitor homes remotely through the IKEA Home Smart app. They are based on Zigbee software and can work standalone or with other IKEA smart products. IKEA plans to add Matter support to bridge the devices to the new smart home standard. The sensors will be available starting January 2024.
Ikea has announced a new line of smart home sensors, including a door and window sensor, a motion sensor, and a water leakage sensor, set to be released globally starting in January 2024. The sensors are expected to retail for under $10 based on pricing in Europe. The door and window sensor can be paired with an Ikea light bulb without the need for a smart hub, while the motion sensor works both indoors and outdoors. The water leakage sensor features a built-in siren and alerts users upon sensing a leak. These affordable sensors offer a budget-friendly entry into smart home products.