YugenFlow v2: An easy-to-use, compact low-power thermal detection sensor

Thermal sensors are the sensors that sense the temperature of their environment, convert the input data into electronic data to record, monitor, or signal temperature changes. There are two types of thermal sensors: Contact and non-contact thermal sensors. Contact thermal sensors require direct contact with the physical object that is being monitored. On the other hand, non-contact thermal sensors can measure the temperature of an object indirectly. Non-contact thermal sensors are generally infrared (IR) sensors. These sensors detect the infrared energy emitted by an object, convert it into electrical signals, and sends it to a calibrated circuit for determining the temperature.

Infrared thermal sensors can detect the presence of stationary humans by detecting body heat and can therefore be used to automatically switch off unnecessary lighting, air conditioning, etc. when people are not present. They do not rely on motion detection for sensing the human presence and hence, are very accurate. IR thermal sensor also finds its application in contactless thermometers, in industries for early prevention of fire outbreaks, and many other situations.

About YugenFlow v2

YugenFlow v2 is a similar infrared thermal sensor for human detection. It is a compact, easy-to-use, low-power, intelligent thermal sensor board that uses a low-resolution thermal sensor to detect the presence of a person. Not only that, but it also determines if the person is moving in a given direction. It is fast and precise. Motion sensors, as mentioned earlier, can sense the human presence by sensing the slight vibrations and movements. Therefore, they are not as precise as these sensors. YugenFlow v2 does not require motion to detect the presence but uses it to determine direction. It can sense a movement along one axis, and the axis along which it measures depends on how the sensor is mounted. The YugenFlow v2 can sense up to two people simultaneously with a distance of about 40cm.

The YugenFlow v2 respects privacy. It cannot determine who the person is, its physical characteristics in detail, or any of their particular details. The team said that they have even verified this with a local privacy commissioner.

The team further added about privacy,

“The sensing is based on a temperature reading from a low resolution thermopile, which is unable to determine anything besides if a person has passed below the sensor in one direction or the other. This makes it perfect for any human sensing project where privacy is important.”

The sensor can be used in two modes:

PUSH: In this mode, the sensor sends the data in the range [-2,2] to indicate how many people have passed and in which direction. If an individual has passed along the axis, the data provided is +1 (-1 for the opposite direction).

PULL: An application can read the internal three counters that contain the number of people that have passed in a given direction and the difference from the last time the counters are reset.

YugenFlow v2 versions:

YugenFlow thermal sensor comes in two versions

• YugenFlow: Integrated: It comes with a fully integrated ESP32 board and additional firmware so that it can be connected to a Wi-Fi network. It can send data via an MQTT protocol, IFTTT, or a TCP protocol. It can be powered by the 220-240V mains power supply and has a detection angle of 110 degrees along the entrance.
• YugenFlow: Grove: It is a sensor module that can communicate with the host board like Arduino. An Arduino library will be provided for the same.

The device is open-source and the project information can be found at https://github.com/orgs/xetal-nv/projects

Crowdsupply page: https://www.crowdsupply.com/xetal/yugenflow-v2

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