IR Close Object Detector

Although ultrasound is well suited to detecting distant objects, it is quite unusable for closer objects, i.e. when the detection distance comes down to around a centimetre or less. Under these conditions, two solutions can be used: the bumper or similar device activating one or more microswitches — but that is still a mechanical solution — or the infra-red detector we’re suggesting building here, combining the elegance of electronics with freedom from any moving parts.