OndoSense is expanding its sensor portfolio with the addition of a compact radar sensor for collision avoidance, vehicle detection and object positioning.

With its wide detection range, the OndoSense reach WA (Wide Angle) is particularly suited for detecting obstacles such as vehicles, people or objects. It detects static and moving objects, even at close range from 0.1 m, and can be easily integrated even in confined spaces, thanks to its very small design, the company claims.

The OndoSense reach WA is suitable for collision avoidance, vehicle detection, object positioning and limit level control in transport & logistics, mining, shipping, mechanical and plant engineering and agriculture, it added.

With up to four adjustable sensor zones, the OndoSense reach WA is ideal for flexible monitoring of security areas or collision avoidance of mobile robots or other vehicles. Thanks to innovative radar technology, the radar sensor always reliably detects objects of any nature, even difficult environments with dirt, smoke, steam, rain or poor lighting conditions. And, as a result of its high measuring rate of 200 Hz, it always reliably detects obstacles even with fast movements.

Rainer Waltersbacher, co-CEO of OndoSense, said: “Our sensor offers the smallest blind zone on the market for anti-collision radars. This makes the OndoSense reach WA ideal for applications in which objects in close range must be reliably detected. Our radar system thus enables safe operation without costly unplanned downtimes.”

With its M30 design and a length of just 92 mm, the OndoSense reach WA is one of the smallest radar sensors for collision protection & object positioning, OndoSense says. Thanks to an opening angle of 15° and a measuring precision of ±1 mm, the OndoSense reach WA is suitable for precise positioning of machines or robot arms where the target object is tilted – i.e not optimally aligned with the radar sensor.

The radar sensor has an RS485 communication protocol, three digital switching outputs (PNP/NPN) and an analog current interface (4-20 mA). An IO-Link version will be available from 2025. The sensor can operate interfaces such as Profinet or CAN via a gateway.