2.1.5 Sensors

Sensors are one way to collect data from non-computers. They convert physical aspects of our environment into electrical signals that can be processed by computers. Some examples are soil moisture sensors, air temperature sensors, radiation sensors, and motion sensors. Sensors of all types will play an important role in connecting what has traditionally been unconnected in the IoE.

Figure 4 shows an oxygen sensor. These sensors are very common in cars equipped with electronic fuel injection and are used to monitor the amount of oxygen expelled by the engine after a cycle of fuel burn. Based on that information, the fuel injection computer is able to adjust the air-fuel mixture for optimal engine performance