SPECIFICATIONS

The "Eyes" of Your Smart Car! 2-40cm Adjustable Detection Range, TTL Output, 3.3V~5V Wide Voltage — Easy Obstacle Avoidance, Line Tracking, and Anti-Drop for Your Robot!

Key Features & Benefits

👁️ IR Emitter + Receiver Integrated

Emits 38kHz IR pulses, detects reflected signals when hitting obstacles — accurate and reliable

📏 2-40cm Adjustable Detection

Flexible detection range via potentiometer — adapts to different project needs

⚡ 3.3V~5V Wide Voltage

Directly compatible with Arduino (5V) and ESP32 (3.3V) — no level shifting needed

📊 TTL Digital Output

Outputs 0 (LOW) when obstacle detected, 1 (HIGH) when clear — direct connection to MCU IO

🔧 EN Enable Control

Control sensor on/off via EN pin — disable sensor in low-power mode

🚗 Fast Response

Ideal for smart car obstacle avoidance, black/white line tracking, anti-drop, product counters

🎯 35° Effective Angle

Wide detection angle — reduces blind spots

Specifications

Product Name:KY-032 Infrared Obstacle Avoidance Sensor Module
Also Known As:AD-032
Operating Voltage:DC 3.3V ~ 5V
Operating Current:≤20mA
Detection Distance:2cm ~ 40cm (adjustable)
Effective Angle:35°
Output Signal:TTL Level (Obstacle→0 / Clear→1)
Interface 4-wire (- / + / S / EN)
Operating Temperature:-10℃ ~ +50℃

Detection Distance Note:

Different colored objects have different reflectivity. Darker colors (especially black) reflect less IR light, resulting in shorter detection distances. White/light-colored objects provide the longest detection range up to 40cm

Product Description

The KY-032 Infrared Obstacle Avoidance Sensor is a key sensing component for smart car and robot projects. The module features a pair of IR emitter and receiver diodes. The emitter sends out 38kHz infrared light pulses. When the IR light hits an obstacle and reflects back to the receiver, the module outputs LOW (0). When no reflection is detected, it outputs HIGH (1).

Detection range of 2-40cm is adjustable via the onboard potentiometer. The 35° effective angle provides wide coverage. 3.3V~5V wide voltage support makes it compatible with Arduino, ESP32, STM32, and other mainstream boards.

The module supports EN enable control. When EN=1, the sensor is disabled; when EN=0, it's active. The default jumper cap connects EN to GND (always on). Remove the jumper to control the sensor via an MCU IO pin.

Whether for smart car obstacle avoidance, black/white line tracking, anti-drop, product counting, conveyor belt cutting, or liquid level detection, the KY-032 delivers reliable obstacle detection.

❓ Why can't my sensor detect black objects or why is the range so short?

IR light reflectivity depends on the object's color. Black absorbs most IR light, reflecting very little. White/light-colored objects have high reflectivity and can be detected up to 40cm away. This is a physical limitation of IR sensors, not a product defect.

❓ Does the sensor output HIGH or LOW when an obstacle is detected?

LOW (0) . The S pin outputs LOW when an obstacle is detected, and HIGH when the path is clear

❓ How do I use the EN pin?

The EN pin controls the sensor's on/off state:

EN=0 (connected to GND): Sensor works normally

EN=1 (connected to HIGH): Sensor is disabled (off)
The default jumper cap connects EN to GND (EN=0), keeping the sensor always on. To control it via MCU, remove the jumper and connect EN to a digital IO pin.

❓ Can it detect glass?

No. IR light passes through transparent objects like glass without being reflected. For transparent object detection, use an ultrasonic sensor.

❓ How do I adjust the detection distance?

The module has a multi-turn potentiometer. Turn clockwise to increase detection distance, counterclockwise to decrease it. For best results, adjust it in front of a white wall.