Sensors are points ofcontact betweenthe material world ofatoms, mass, andenergy
and the seemingly immaterial world of information, computation, and cognition.
Linking these two domains more tightly yields all sorts of practical benefits, such as
improvedinputdevicesforcomputers,moreeffectivemedicaldevices(implantedor
worn), more precise agricultural operations, better monitored buildings or bridges,
more secure payment systems, and more reliable sensor–actuator control systems.
There are many settings in which tighter coupling between digital and physical
planes can enhance safety, security, performance, and reliability.
