2026 SENSOR SELECTION GUIDE: TRENDS, FEATURES AND AUTOMATION APPLICATIONS

This eBook takes you inside the evolving sensing stack, curating articles that track the latest innovations in sensor technologies. Machine Design’s editors cover practical sensor selection under tight constraints, the latest in LiDAR, 3D vision and AMR deployments on existing brownfield floors, as well as the push toward simplified, robust architectures using single-cable connectivity and IO-Link. At the system level, editors explore how scientific machine learning (SciML) and data-driven diagnostics can turn sensor streams into predictive maintenance insight. All of these technologies support more resilient machine design in a global manufacturing market. Themes are supported by pragmatic guidance for engineers who need to specify sensors, networks and analytics pipelines—all with a view to scaling automation and increasing uptime.  
Topics examined inside this eBook:

Selecting the right sensor stack under tighter mechanical, thermal and cost constraints to avoid late-stage redesigns.

Applying LiDAR, 3D vision and AI-enabled perception to improve navigation, obstacle avoidance and throughput in automated systems.

Simplifying sensor connectivity with single-cable architectures and IO-Link to reduce wiring complexity and enable richer diagnostics.

Using scientific machine learning and physics-informed models to turn streaming sensor data into actionable predictive maintenance insights.

Designing more resilient machines that can be deployed on existing floors while supporting flexible, globally distributed manufacturing. 
 

Sponsored by: ENM Company, SEW-EURODRIVE, Floyd Bell Inc., Advanced Micro Controls, Inc. (AMCI) - MP - Terryville, CT, Dynatect Manufacturing, Inc.