Maker Reflect: Simplifying IR Reflectance Sensor for Beginner

Note: Starting in August 2024, the new batch of Maker Reflect comes with improved sensitivity to better differentiate between white and black surfaces. We increased the value of R1 (refer to the schematic) from 10K to 100K.

Maker Reflect is a tiny reflectance sensor that consists of an infrared (IR) LED that transmits IR light onto a surface, and a phototransistor that measures how much light is reflected back. The output is in analog voltage—the more IR light sensed by the phototransistor, the lower the voltage.

This sensor is typically used in line-following robots, as white surfaces reflect more IR light than black surfaces. However, it is not limited to line-following; there are many other applications that can utilize the Maker Reflect. For example, it can be used as an edge/border sensor in Sumo robots, a wall sensor in maze-solving robots, a short-distance object detector (presence sensor), or a sensor for a rotary wheel encoder, among others.

Measuring only (L)18.1mm x (W)8.4mm x (H)4.2mm (Exclude the header pin), this tiny sensor can be easily fitted in the tightest space available on your robot. We purposely designed the sensor so that the mounting hole is at the center so that the sensor can be at the front-most position. This is especially important in the Sumo robot.

Example Applications:

• Line Following Robot
• Sumo Robot
• Wall Following Robot
• Short Distance Object Sensing
• Sensor for Printed Rotary Wheel Encoder.

Specifications:

• Operating Voltage: 3.3V and 5V Compatible
• Sensing Distance (Height): 1mm to 40mm (Vcc = 5V, Black line on a white surface)
• Output: Analog Voltage (White surface = lower voltage)

Dimension:

• 1 x Maker Reflect

• Datasheet
• 3D CAD files