Sensors trends: Smaller, cheaper, smarter, faster and under wireless control

Arguably, current trends in sensor research, development and commercialization can be classified in five broad categories (not necessarily in an order of significance or as they appear in the title). In this presentation, these trends will be briefly discussed using examples from the literature and from the authors’ laboratory. Sensor-powering schemes (ranging from energy harvesting, to energy scavenging, to self-powering) and to power-management approaches will also be outlined. Applicability and potential socio-economic impact will be briefly discussed, with particular emphasis in the future of sensor-applications in IoT (Internet of Things), in Industry 4.0 (and in the emerging but not yet well defined Industry 5.0) and in Society 5.0. The motivation is to summarize current and emerging trends that may be of interest to a wide audience.

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