An optical sensor used to measure rainfall (Hydreon)

Optical sensors like this, which is about the size of a tennis ball, are installed in many modern cars to automate wipers. The sensor uses a system of infrared beams that detects when drops of rain are on the surface of the device. Each sensor reading corresponds to a specific amount of water, with more frequent readings corresponding to more intense rainfall.

Credit: www.ikg.uni-hannover.de, Daniel Fitzner

• Using moving cars to measure rainfall (28 November 2013)

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