About this item

The SparkFun ROB-09453 Line Sensor Breakout features the QRE1113 reflective optical sensor, designed for detecting changes in surface reflectivity—most commonly used for line-following robot applications. This analog version of the sensor outputs a voltage proportional to the amount of infrared light reflected back from a surface. It is especially effective for detecting the contrast between dark and light surfaces, such as black electrical tape on a white background. The sensor consists of an IR emitter and phototransistor pair, integrated into a compact breakout board that is easy to mount on the underside of a robot. It connects easily to microcontrollers using an analog input pin, and its output can be used to determine surface reflectivity for navigation, edge detection, or object sensing. With a small footprint and low power requirements, the QRE1113 analog breakout is perfect for use in compact robotics and embedded systems. It includes a mounting hole for secure attachment and comes with a 3-pin header for easy wiring: power, ground, and analog output. Simple yet effective, this sensor is ideal for educational, hobbyist, or prototyping applications where line or surface detection is required.