An end effector or device that can detect a crash before or during a collision is called

• A. Force sensor
• B. Proximity sensor
• C. Impact sensor
• D. Collision sensor

Answer: (D)

Detecting a crash event in an end effector centers on sensing when contact is about to happen or has just happened so the system can respond quickly. A collision sensor is designed for this purpose: it serves as a dedicated safety detector that flags a collision as it occurs or is imminent, enabling immediate actions like stopping or retracting. It can use a mix of mechanisms—pressure or strain sensing, accelerometers, or contact switches—to pick up the rapid changes associated with a crash. A force sensor measures the interaction forces during contact, but it’s not specifically built to indicate a collision event itself. A proximity sensor detects objects at a distance to help avoid contact, but it doesn’t confirm that a collision has occurred or is about to occur. An impact sensor detects that an impact has happened, but it doesn’t typically provide pre-emptive warning. So, the dedicated collision sensor best fits the requirement of detecting a crash before or during a collision.