By Ashish Dwivedi Actuators in IoT are devices that convert sensor data and digital commands into actions. As we know, IoT is made up of four main pillars i.e., controllers, physical devices, sensors+actuators, and internet. Now, actuators are basically machine components in IoT that cause physical movement of IoT devices. For example, automatic doors have motion sensors that sense the presence of a person and actuators enable the door to open automatically.
A servo motor can also be a great example of an IoT actuator. Servo motors can be linear or rotary and can be utilized in the IoT environment to make 90 or 180 degree turns as per our requirement. Basically, an IoT system performs an action in the environment through these actuators. In this blog, let us study what these actuators are, its various types, and real-life examples.
What Are Actuators?
Actuators are basically any device that converts various types of energies such as hydraulic, air, and electrical into mechanical energy, i.e., physical motion. In simple terms, it is just a component that causes movement in machines. Just like how muscles convert brain signals into some motions such as movement of head, arms, and legs, actuators aid the machines in performing a mechanical action.
What Are Actuators in IoT?
An Internet of Things environment needs an actuator to make a mechanical motion happen. It is part of all IoT devices that performs a physical action. Usually, actuators are powered using various sources of energy like mechanically generated motion, battery, or electricity. Basically, actuators receive signals from IoT controllers and then they perform an action via various energy sources. Their purpose is opposite to that of sensors. Sensors collect information from the IoT environment and then actuators use that information to generate physical actions.
What Are the Types of Actuators in IoT?
The type of energy actuators use to convert into physical motion categorizes them into various types-
Hydraulic Actuators-
These actuators perform a physical operation after converting hydraulic power into mechanical motion. They are primarily powered by fluid or cylindrical motors. The motions can be anything ranging from simple linear motion to rotatory or oscillatory motion. For example, a lot of construction equipment depends on hydraulic actuators because they generate a considerable amount of force. They are known for generating a decent amount of speed and force. Mainly, they are used in clamping, welding, or for controlling vehicles in car transportation.
Pneumatic Actuators-
These actuators depend on energy that is created via vacuum or high compressed air pressure.
They convert this pneumatic energy to create rotatory or linear motion. They can be used in robotics to generate motions like human fingers through compressed air. Pneumatic actuators are basically an economical option which can be used in environments where chemicals and batteries are not safe. Pneumatic actuators in IoT require little maintenance and have high durability. In applications where initiating and stopping a motion quickly is a primary need, they are a viable option.
Electrical Actuators-
As the name suggests, electrical actuators convert electrical energy into mechanical motion. An example of an electrical actuator can be a solenoid-dependent electric bell. It is used in various industrial applications where automating electric valves is key. Among all actuators, it is known for having highest control precision positioning. Not only does it produce low noise, it is also safe because there are no possibilities of fluid leakage. It does have some disadvantages though such as high cost or dependency on environmental factors.
Piezoelectric Actuators-
Piezoelectric actuators are another type of actuator. They are transducers that work on the basis of piezoelectric effect to convert electrical energy into stroke or physical displacement. They create more accuracy and control and operate on the principle of electromagnetic coupling rather than induction. The movements caused by piezoelectric actuators are used in altering the shape of mirrors, tools, lenses, and other apparatus. They are also used to control hydraulic valves, which then act as small-volume pumps or special purpose motors.
What Are the Real-Life Examples of Actuators in IoT?
To fully comprehend the transformative potential of these components, let us get an overview of some real-life examples across numerous sectors-
Industrial Automation-
- Robotic Arms: Actuators enable the accurate movement of robotic arms on assembly lines.
- Conveyor Systems: Actuators help users in getting a better control of the movement of goods all throughout the manufacturing units.
- Process Control: In industrial processes, IoT actuators can be used to control pumps, valves, or other types of machinery.
Smart Homes-
- Smart Locks: Actuators allow automatic or remote locking and unlocking of gates and doors.
- Motorized Blinds/Shades: These devices help in automatic controlling of blinds, allowing it to open and close automatically based on light levels or schedules.
- Climate Control: To allow users to better regulate temperature, actuators operate fans, vents, and HVAC equipment.
- Smart Lightening: Actuators in IoT-enabled smart homes help in establishing the right mood in the living room as per the occasion. They can allow IoT systems to switch on or switch off lights or control brightness or.
Agriculture
- Irrigation Systems: In IoT-enabled agriculture environments, actuators can be used to control sprinklers and valves to optimize usage of water.
- Greenhouse Environment: Actuators help in better control of temperature, ventilation, and humidity for optimal growth of crops. ‘
- Automated Livestock Care: Actuators can enable automated feeding systems and other various aspects of animal care.
Healthcare IoT
- Prosthetic Limbs: Orthopedicians leverage advanced artificial limbs to provide higher natural movement and control.
- Surgery: Surgical robots are embedded with actuators to allow surgical procedures with higher precision and minimum invasion.
- Medication: Actuators provide greater accuracy and control in the release of medication.
Conclusion
As we delve deeper into the era of smart technologies, the importance of actuators in IoT have become more paramount. The magic of IoT starts when we can automate physical actions based on digital input. And, this is where actuators prove to be quite vital. In the IoT environment, actuators are basically a responding unit. They help in creating suitable mechanical motion after converting the input energy which can be hydraulic, electrical, and pneumatic, etc. For more IoT-related concepts, explore our website
Related Posts
