Smart Sensors: A Comprehensive Survey of IoT Sensor Types and Applications

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a transformative technology, redefining modern life by embedding billions of sensors and actuators into everyday environments. This integration yields intelligent, connected scenarios where continuous data capture provides a comprehensive operational view. Widely recognized in academic research, sensors facilitate ubiquitous data acquisition and are pivotal for diverse IoT applications. This paper explores a wide range of IoT sensors and examines various sensor-driven applications that help form smart environments. By evaluating multiple sensor application areas, we identify optimal sensor configurations for distinct IoT scenarios, thereby laying a robust foundation for future advancements in this dynamic domain.