Imagine if there was a device that could move and act as you desire, simply by giving it a signal. Or a device that senses what you want to do, or have done for you, and then does it. Obviously, this kind of device would make your life much more convenient and comfortable. OMRON has developed sensors capable of detecting the existence, position and motion-speed of a person or object with very high precision. These were developed with the goal of enhancing safety, security and comfort in various environments such as the home, office or car. The sensors are designed to use radio waves, or optical waves (laser beams) that include wavelengths similar to radio waves.

Human beings cannot see through walls, of course, but radio wave sensing technology can detect what is on the other side of a wall. Because radio waves can pass through a substance, they are virtually unaffected by bad weather, dirt or other obstacles. By taking advantage of these properties, OMRON's radio wave sensing technology makes sensing possible under virtually any types of conditions. Because such sensors can be embedded into all types of machinery, they must be compact and energy efficient. Solving these issues by drawing on its proprietary technology, OMRON strives to become the world's leader in OMRON's radio wave sensing.

Radio wave sensing technology determines the distance to a target by beaming a radio wave at it and measuring the time it takes for its reflection, or pulse echo, to return back to the source. By so doing, it detects the position and/or motion of the target. If the target object is metal, a 100% reflection will be achieved, but if the target is human, reflectivity will lower significantly. OMRON took on this tough challenge of human sensing and launched R&D efforts with a particular focus on hand motion.

OMRON's radio wave sensors deliver exceptional motion sensing of objects and humans, with results that are unaffected by rain, snow and other weather conditions, and can operate even if the lens surface becomes obscured by dirt. In addition, these sensors are very compact and consume energy. One application of OMRON's radio wave sensing technology is laser light sensors. OMRON sensors draw high expectations for potential uses in various applications related to safety, security and comfort, by drawing on the distinctive features of individual products. These include security systems with imperceptible sensor installations and automotive cruise control systems that help assure safer driving, among many other applications.

For example, with radio wave sensing technology in the future, it will become possible for a sensor to determine whether a particular person is a member of a family or an intruder by detecting the person's movement in the area of the door and measuring the time he/she takes to unlock the door. This capability proves ideal for preventive measures against lock-picking attempts. As OMRON's radio wave sensors can accurately detect and distinguish human motion, there is no risk of incorrectly recognizing a flying bird or wavering grass as being a human, which is a common shortcoming of conventional sensors.

Recently, Advanced Safety Vehicles (ASV) are attracting growing attention as an essential element of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). Radio wave sensors will also play active roles in ASV by assisting drivers with driver safety, by avoiding collisions or minimizing damage in case of a crash. In the future, it will no longer be a dream for radio wave sensors to provide a truly user-friendly interface that understands and catches on the meaning of a particular movement of a person, and interprets the intention of that person.

ITS is designed to solve traffic jams, accidents and other traffic issues by connecting people, roads and vehicles and letting them communicate with each other using the latest information technology. ITS comprises many different technologies such as advanced navigation, Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) and other systems that support safe driving.

By employing the latest electronic technologies such as various sensors and information communications equipment, ASV is equipped with an advanced capability to collect and process various kinds of data and perform controls based on the processed information. At present, various systems have already been put into use, including headway lane keep assist systems , braking systems to mitigate collision damage for collision mitigation, and cruise control systems that control the vehicle's speed so as to keep a constant distance between vehicles.

OMRON's radio wave sensors are very small, yet they can swiftly detect the state of the target in detail. In other words, they provide very efficient sensing. These sensors are useful for detecting the existence, position and movement-speed of a person or object, then determining the state or intention of the person or object and outputting high-value information.