can ir detectors detect heat?

[zackshalac]

If i remember correctly, heat is transfered as IR waves, so can you use an IR detector to detect a radiant heat source and move towards it?  Like a photovore, only a heatovore, i was thinking i could build the $50 robot only with IR sensors for a first robot if it would work.

[AndrewM]

There are specially designed and calibrated IR sensors designed to do just that.  For a standard IR sensor, I do not believe it would work well, if only because most IR sensors are calibrated to a certain frequency range, or pulse.

[airman00]

if you need to detect heat , check out this sensor

http://www.acroname.com/robotics/parts/R255-TPA81.html

[Admin]

http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=1136.0