The Kiosk Presence Detection Sensor
Why Dual-Technology Sensing Changes the Game for Kiosk Applications
If you've ever worked on a kiosk project, you know the headache: unreliable presence detection. Maybe your sensor triggers when nobody's there. Maybe it misses people wearing dark clothing. Or perhaps environmental noise throws everything off. These aren't just annoyances, but deal-breakers when you're trying to create a seamless user experience.
That's exactly why we developed the ProxiView-EZ series, a kiosk presence detection sensor that combines two proven technologies into one compact package.
The Problem with Single-Technology Solutions
Traditional proximity sensors typically rely on one detection method. Infrared sensors work great in controlled conditions but can struggle with varying surface reflectivity. Ultrasonic sensors excel at distance measurement but may have blind spots up close. When you're designing interactive kiosks, self-service terminals, or smart building systems, you need something more robust.
Two Technologies, One Reliable Answer
The ProxiView-EZ takes a different approach. By pairing infrared proximity detection with ultrasonic ranging, this kiosk presence detection sensor covers its bases:
- IR proximity handles close-range detection from the sensor face out to about 30 cm
- Ultrasonic ranging takes over from 30 cm all the way out to 5 meters with 1 mm resolution
- Internal filtering smooths out acoustic and electrical noise so you get stable, usable data
The result? You're not asking "did the sensor see something?" You're confidently answering, "Is someone here, and how close are they?"
Get help finding the right sensor for your application
Our team are always on hand to help out! Whether you’re still not sure which sensor(s) would be best for your project or you have some questions before you purchase, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team.
Built for Real-World Conditions
Anyone who's deployed sensors in public spaces knows that conditions are never ideal. People wear all kinds of clothing. Ambient lighting changes throughout the day. Temperature fluctuates. The ProxiView-EZ auto-calibrates on every single reading, compensating for target size, temperature shifts, and supply voltage changes. It's designed for the messy reality of indoor environments, not just the lab bench.
The compact housing (under 2 cubic inches) with built-in mounting holes means installation doesn't require creative engineering. And with factory-calibrated beam patterns, you get consistent detection zones across every unit. So, no surprise variations when you're scaling up!
Connectivity Options That Make Sense
Different projects have different integration needs, so the kiosk presence detection sensor comes in three variants:
- USB Type-A/Type-C (MB1710): Plug into any computer or kiosk controller and start reading data over a virtual COM port
- Micro-B USB (MB1711): Same functionality, different connector for space-constrained setups
- QWIIC I2C (MB1712): Perfect for microcontroller and single-board computer projects where you want multiple sensors sharing a common bus
The USB models are genuinely plug-and-play. No drivers, no complicated setup. Simply connect and start pulling presence and distance data into your application, dashboard, or automation logic.
Where Does This Sensor Shine?
The applications are broader than you might initially think:
- Interactive retail displays that wake up when customers approach
- Queue management systems that track traffic flow
- Energy-saving controls for lighting and HVAC based on occupancy
- Access-awareness features for secure areas
- Self-checkout terminals that respond to user presence
Basically, anywhere you need to reliably detect people and understand how they're moving through a space.
The Bottom Line With Kiosk Sensors
Good sensing shouldn't be complicated. The ProxiView-EZ kiosk presence detection sensor delivers stable, application-ready data without requiring you to become an expert in sensor fusion or signal processing. It handles the hard stuff internally so you can focus on building your product or business.
If you're tired of fighting unreliable detection in your kiosk projects, it might be time to try a dual-technology approach that works.