Super sense – an introduction to artificial sensors
Monitoring our world using artificial sensors
Artificial sensors enable us to overcome the limitations of our human senses and extend them in novel and useful ways, using the scientific concepts of electricity and waves.
New Zealand scientists are researching ways in which we use artificial sensors. Their work has resulted in many interesting discoveries and technologies.
Sensing the Earth
Dr David Pairman and his team at Landcare Research use remote sensing to make measurements ranging from storm damage to pasture growth. Read about their research in Satellite sensing. Sensing the Earth explores other techniques – like infrared, radar and sonar – used to map and monitor the Earth’s structures, including New Zealand’s seismic activity. GPS is also used to monitor changes to the Earth. Read about its origin and how GPS works in the article Global positioning system (GPS).
David reviewing satellite images
David Pairman and Landcare Research colleagues discussing a project that they were undertaking for Uzbekistan. The images they’re looking at are land cover images of Uzbekistan.
Discover how Xerra tracks dark vessels and helps to protect New Zealand from biosecurity threats.
Robotics
Professor Dale Carnegie is interested in the development of ‘intelligent’ robots. Sensing robots tells the story of MARVIN – a Mobile Autonomous Vehicle for Indoor Navigation. Mechatronics explains the combination of electronics, computer programming and mechanics that make robots like MARVIN function.
MARVIN
Professor Dale Carnegie and his team at Victoria University have spent many years developing a Mobile Autonomous Robotic Vehicle for Indoor Navigation – or MARVIN for short. This robot does many jobs, one of which is being a security guard. MARVIN has been equipped with a set of emotions to enable him to modify and adapt his behaviour according to different situations. He interacts with his environment using a variety of sensors.
Points of interest
What sensors is MARVIN equipped with?
What sensors would Dale’s team like to add to MARVIN?
What sensor is MARVIN not able to be equipped with and why?
Science concepts
The science concepts that underpin this collection of resources are electricity and waves.
Copper wire
Copper is a metal that is a very good conductor of electricity. It has electrons that are free to move within the material.
Electricity and sensors explains the basics of electric currents, circuits, conductivity and switches. A second science article explains the role of resistors in controlling the flow of electrical currents.
Electricity and sensors also explains how sensors use electromagnetic waves to detect objects and changes in their environment. On the other hand, Camouflage explains how to deflect electromagnetic waves.
Fuse in a circuit
Resistors are often placed in circuits to protect other components. This image shows a particular type of resistor called a fuse.
Take up the challenge
These activities introduce students to the science of electrical circuits.
Communicating with symbols teaches students how to draw a range of simple circuit diagrams using specific symbols for electrical components that can be understood worldwide.
Testing for conductivity involves the construction of simple electrical circuits to test a variety of materials for their conductive abilities.
Controlling resistance explores the concept of variable resistance by using a simple electrical circuit.
Challenging switches involves the construction of electrical circuits to explore the role of switches.
Sensing moisture involves the construction of a simple, effective moisture sensor.
Humans are now developing machines (robots) that imitate human emotion and thought. The Connected article Emotional robots explores this development from social and ethical perspectives.
Question bank
The Artificial sensors – question bank provides an initial list of questions about monitoring our environment using artificial sensors and places where their answers can be found. The questions support an inquiry approach.
Key terms
For explanations of key concepts, see Artificial sensors – key terms.
Timeline
Explore the timeline and find out more about the development of electrical sensors.
Related content
Kiwrious Science Experience – fostering NoS in the classroom is a Curious Minds-funded project that enables students to use sensors to collect, analyse and interpret data.
Use micro:bit sensors on a DIY cardboard CubeSat or use them to create your own space-related project.
Useful link
Find out more about teaching robotics in this article on TKI.
