JSUMO Micro Line Sensor ML1

The Micro Line Sensor ML1 is a next-generation reflective optical sensor developed for precise black and white surface detection in compact robotic systems. Its miniature size allows installation in applications where conventional line sensors cannot fit, making it especially suitable for micro-scale and competition robots. The sensor provides a high-contrast output that enables reliable recognition of surface colors. It can be connected directly to digital input pins of microcontrollers, where the output is interpreted as a logical HIGH or LOW depending on whether the sensor detects a white or black surface. For applications requiring greater accuracy, the ML1 can also be connected to analog inputs. The analog output allows developers to define custom threshold values and improve edge or line detection performance, particularly in competitive robotics environments. The sensor operates effectively at a sensing height of approximately 2–3 mm above the surface and generates clean analog signals suitable for precise measurements. Its extremely small footprint and low weight make it ideal for robots where every millimeter and gram matter. Compared to larger sensors such as the Pololu QTR-1A, the ML1 occupies nearly half the footprint area while maintaining excellent detection performance. Specifications Parameter Specification Model ML1 Sensor Type Reflective Infrared Line Sensor Output Type Analog and Digital Compatible Operating Voltage 3.3V – 5V Surface Detection Black and White Surfaces Recommended Sensing Distance 2 – 3 mm Length 8.60 mm Width 6.00 mm Height 3.15 mm Footprint Area 51.6 mm² Weight 0.2 g Microcontroller Compatibility Arduino, PIC, ARM, STM32, ESP32 and Others Signal Quality Clean Analog Output and Digital-Compatible Output Applications Micro Sumo Robots Mini Sumo Robots Mega Sumo Robots Line Follower Robots Edge Detection Systems Autonomous Mobile Robots Maze Solving Robots Educational Robotics Projects Competition Robotics Black and White Surface Detection Compact Embedded Systems Research and Development Projects