A sensor is a type of transducer . Direct-indicating sensors, for example, a mercury thermometer , are human-readable. Other sensors must be paired with an indicator or display, for instance a thermocouple. Most sensors are electrical or electronic, although other types exist.
Sensors are used in everyday life. Applications include automobiles, machines, aerospace, medicine, industry and robotics.
Technological progress allows more and more sensors to be manufactured on the microscopic scale as microsensors using MEMS technology. In most cases a microsensor reaches a significantly higher speed and sensitivity compared with macroscopic approaches. See also MEMS sensor generations.
