Zero-Power Sensors with Uninterrupted Operation and Unprecedented Accuracy
ABSTRACT
Traditional sensors continuously drain battery power, even when no target signal is present, leading to frequent battery replacements and increased maintenance costs. Infrared (IR) sensors, widely used in motion detection, smart home devices, and automated hygiene products, are among the biggest contributors to unnecessary energy consumption. The recent surge in demand for touchless interfaces and human occupancy sensing has further highlighted the limitations of conventional battery-powered IR sensors, where inefficient power usage leads to operational disruptions and user inconvenience.
At Zepsor Technologies, we have developed a revolutionary class of zero-power IR sensors that remain off-but-alert, requiring no standby power while continuously monitoring the environment. Unlike conventional IR sensors, Zepsor’s technology leverages the thermal energy emitted by the human body itself to activate a micromechanical switch, triggering the desired response function of the device—whether it's turning on a light, activating a faucet, or briefly powering a security camera. This breakthrough approach eliminates the need for constant power consumption, extending battery life by a factor of 5 to 10 and significantly reducing maintenance efforts.
Our first commercial product is a near-zero power IR sensor module (<1 µW) designed for touchless activation in automated systems. The module offers adjustable detection distances (2-5 inches for a human hand at room temperature), operates with a response time of less than 250 milliseconds, and integrates both the zero-power MEMS IR sensor and supporting CMOS circuitry in a miniature package for seamless plug-and-play deployment in plumbing fixtures, smart home devices, and hygiene products.
By redefining how sensors operate, Zepsor Technologies is pioneering a new era of energy-efficient sensing solutions that ensure uninterrupted functionality with unprecedented power efficiency, paving the way for sustainable, long-lasting, and maintenance-free smart devices.