Ultra-low cost sensors expected to revolutionize industry

Englewood, NJ — “Within three years, everything we know about the cost of sensors will become obsolete.” A new report, available from Technical Insights, titled Throwaway Sensors: Ultra-low-cost sensors key to smart products, smarter manufacturing, details what it terms “the enormous potential created by ultra-low cost sensors.” The report states that the new sensors will provide full sensing capabilities at a fraction of the cost of conventional devices. Although widely used in many industries, they are still viewed as luxuries in today`s cost-cutting industrial climate. Industries that will profoundly changed by the new generation of sensors are medical diagnostics, manufacturing, transportation, chemicals, process industries, food and beverage, consumer electronics, laboratory equipment/supplies, environmental protection and packaged goods. The report suggests that inexpensive sensors will have the greatest impact on sensing markets which are price sensitive. Devices discussed include sensors used to measure fatigue, pressure, proximity, stress, trace chemicals, and thermal factors. Already companies are building them into “smart” products with features that will set new competitive standards.