Parts > Sensors

Encoders are sensors that measure physical movement—such as the rotation of a motor—and convert it into electrical signals. This allows us to determine how much a motor has rotated and use that information as digital input in a robot’s control system. They are essential for achieving precise motion control, especially in applications that require accurate positioning or speed regulation. Robots rely on encoders to ensure smooth movement, feedback, and reliable automation. The press release below is by US Digital, about their new encoder display. US Digital’s New ED4 Digital Encoder Display Vancouver, Washington – November 19, 2025. US Digital announced today the release of our new ED4 Encoder Display. Encoder […] Read More

OptoForce Sensors Providing Industrial Robots with a “Sense of Touch” to Advance Manufacturing Automation   Global efforts to expand the capabilities of industrial robots are on the rise, as the demand from manufacturing companies to strengthen their operations and improve performance grows. Hungary-based OptoForce, with a North American office in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one company that continues to support organizations with new robotic capabilities, as evidenced by its several new applications released in 2017. The company, a leading robotics technology provider of multi-axis force and torque sensors, delivers 6 degrees of freedom force and torque measurement for industrial automation, and provides sensors for most of the currently-used industrial robots. […] Read More

Robotiq Updates FT 300 Sensitivity For High Precision Tasks With Universal Robots Force Torque Sensor feeds data to Universal Robots force mode Quebec City, Canada, November 13, 2017 – Robotiq launches a 10 times more sensitive version of its FT 300 Force Torque Sensor. With Plug + Play integration on all Universal Robots, the FT 300 performs highly repeatable precision force control tasks such as finishing, product testing, assembly and precise part insertion. This force torque sensor comes with an updated free URCap software able to feed data to the Universal Robots Force Mode. “This new feature allows the user to perform precise force insertion assembly and many finishing applications […] Read More

Press Release by Silicon Designs: Silicon Designs Introduces Inertial-Grade MEMS Capacitive Accelerometers with Internal Temperature Sensor and Improved Low-Noise Performance  Five Full Standard G-Ranges from ±2 g to ±50 g Now Available for Immediate Customer Shipment November 9, 2017, Kirkland, Washington, USA – Silicon Designs, Inc. (www.SiliconDesigns.com), a 100% veteran owned, U.S. based leading designer and manufacturer of highly rugged MEMS capacitive accelerometer chips and modules, today announced the immediate availability of its Model 1525 Series, a family of commercial and inertial-grade MEMS capacitive accelerometers, offering industry-best-in-class low-noise performance. Design of the Model 1525 Series incorporates Silicon Designs’ own high-performance MEMS variable capacitive sense element, along with a ±4.0V differential analog output stage, internal […] Read More

It measures the speed of the drone relative to the air, by measuring the positive and negative pressure differences around the drone. When purchased, they usually come together with pitot tube and connection cables. It is recommended for advanced users or drones only, as it necessitates an extra layer of control and tuning. Through pitot tube, the pressure is measured and then this is converted to air speed. Air speed varies with the square root of air pressure. The pitot tube, which takes in the air, transmits it to the sensor through rubber tubing. The sensor is connected to flight controller through a 4 wire I2C cable. Air speed of […] Read More

An accelerometer is an electromechanical device, a sensor, that measures acceleration both horizontally in both horizontal axis due to speed, slow down, or high G turns, and vertically due to gravity and lift up or down. For example, accelerometer and gyroscope sensors are often combined in one sensor called Inertial Measurement unit and connected to flight controller of a drone and enable stable flight.  Also see Inertial Navigation System, INS. Ask, discuss anything about robots and drones in our forums See our Robot Book This post was originally written by RoboticMagazine.com and displaying without our permission is not allowed.   Read More

Nerian Introduces a High-Performance Successor for the Proven SP1 System Stereo vision, which is the three-dimensional perception of our environment with two sensors like our eyes, is a well-known technology. As a passive method – there is no need to emit light in the visible or invisible spectral range – this technology can open up new possibilities for three dimensional perception, even under difficult conditions. But as often, the devil is in the details: for most applications, the software implementation with standard PCs, but also with graphics processors, is too slow. Another complicating factor is that these hardware platforms are expensive and not energy-efficient. The solution is to instead use […] Read More

Micro-Measurements Introduces Miniature, Lightweight Hybrid Sensors for Force, Displacement, Pressure, Strain and Acceleration Measurements Optional Integral Miniature Signal Amplifiers and No Adhesive Bonding Requirements Malvern, PA, USA – September 20, 2017 – The Micro-Measurements® brand of Vishay Precision Group, Inc. (NYSE: VPG) (www.micro-measurements.com), industry experts in the design, development, and manufacture of resistive-foil sensors for high-precision strain measurements, has introduced a new range of miniature, lightweight hybrid sensors, offering cost-effective force, displacement, pressure, strain and acceleration measurements within high-volume OEM and test applications. Design of the new Micro-Measurements hybrid sensor range incorporates the brand’s own renowned precision foil strain gages, adhesively bonded to flat substrates, constructed of either metal, composite, or polymer. Hybrid sensors are manufactured […] Read More

July 10, 2017 – Kirkland, Washington, USA – The 100% veteran owned and U.S. based Silicon Designs, Inc. (www.silicondesigns.com), leading designers and manufacturers of industrial grade MEMS capacitive accelerometer chips and modules, today announced the global market introduction of six new series of low-cost, high-performance MEMS capacitive accelerometers, in both traditional and smaller footprints.   These include the single axis Model 2220 or triaxial Model 2470, featuring aluminum housings and a standard 1 meter integral cable; the single axis Model 2240 or triaxial Model 2480, featuring hermetically sealed titanium housings and an integral connector; and the single axis Model 2276 or triaxial Model 2476, featuring aluminum housings and an integral […] Read More

The Best Things Come in Small Packages US Digital Introduces New Addition to Miniature Optical Encoder Portfolio at ATX West 2017 Anaheim, California – February 7, 2017 – US Digital, a US manufacturer of quality motion control since 1980, today announced the introduction of the E8T miniature optical encoder. Combining small form factor and resolutions up to 720 CPR, the E8T is ideally suited for medical and other space sensitive applications that require reliable position and velocity feedback. The E8T’s small package footprint fits motors as small as National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) size 11 with more than 40% reduction in package height compared to other commercially available solutions. Utilizing US […] Read More