How to use the IR (Infrared) Obstacle Detection Sensor with Arduino

 

INTRODUCTION

An infrared sensor is an electronic device that emits an infrared wave to sense objects in its surroundings. You have already seen another type of IR sensor in the form of a PIR motion sensor which detects the motion of objects in the surroundings.

APPLICATIONS

It is used in the obstacle avoidance systems in Robotics. Autonomous cars have a number of these sensors installed at various locations on the vehicle.

WIRING DIAGRAM

VCC – 5V

OUT – Digital Pin 7

GND – GND

 

CODE

Courtesy of Henry's Bench.

 

// IR Obstacle Collision Detection Module
// Henry's Bench

int LED = 13; // Use the onboard Uno LED
int isObstaclePin = 7;  // This is our input pin
int isObstacle = HIGH;  // HIGH MEANS NO OBSTACLE

void setup() {
  pinMode(LED, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(isObstaclePin, INPUT);
  Serial.begin(9600);
  
}

void loop() {
  isObstacle = digitalRead(isObstaclePin);
  if (isObstacle == LOW)
  {
    Serial.println("OBSTACLE!!, OBSTACLE!!");
    digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
  }
  else
  {
    Serial.println("clear");
    digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
  }
  delay(200);
}

END RESULT

Open serial monitor and place an object in front of the sensor. You will observe the detection of an object in the serial terminal.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/Raushancpr/arduino-with-ir-sensor-1579b6

https://www.instructables.com/id/Using-Infrared-Sensor-With-Arduino/