This is an
Arduino digital infrared distance sensor. It has an adjustable detection range, 0cm - 200cm. It is small, easy to use, assemble, and inexpensive.
Useful for robotics, interactive media, industrial assembly line, etc. Infrared wave length is part of the Sun's natural light spectrum. While is a nice fit for indoor projects, outdoors with plenty of sun light and reflective surfaces on the sight is not advised. It's incredibly repurposable and can be used for a lot of different projects. The adjustable screw on it's back makes it very convenient for different purposes. Digital read on your Arduino pin and you are ready to go. Good sensor choice for quick prototyping.
Use it on a robotics for wall detection and wall follower, or as some of the projects listed below as a trigger system. It's round shape with the screw holders make it a good choice for a home-made assembled robot, with a hole of it's diameter and the holders you can place it aiming at different positions on a robot. Or even place it near your PC to turn on and off your monitor.
To ease the difficult of using this sensor, a Gravity Interface is adapted to allow plug & play. The
IO expansion shield is the best match for this sound sensor connecting to your Arduino.