Sharp IR Distance Sensor (GP2Y0A21, 80 cm)
GP2Y0A21 analog infrared ranger — Sharp's entry-class 80 cm distance sensor for robot perception.
- Material
- PCB & electronic components
- Age range
- 8+
- Category
- STEM Robotics & Electronics
- Customisation
- OEM & ODM available
Specifications, component counts and packaging are configurable. Figures shown reflect our standard configuration.
Key features
- Member of the Sharp IR distance family with up to 80 cm detection range.
- IR emitter and receiver diodes work at a specific frequency; reflected signal returns through the analog interface to the robot host.
- Reliable Sharp quality for recognizing environmental changes — obstacle detection and wall following.
- Analog output — read distance with a single ADC channel.
Frequently asked about this product
How do I connect the Sharp IR Distance Sensor (GP2Y0A21, 80 cm) to my controller board?
The Sharp IR Distance Sensor (GP2Y0A21, 80 cm) uses the standard 3-pin GVS (Ground-VCC-Signal) interface with an XH2.54 connector, so it plugs straight into Arduino UNO, ESP32, micro:bit and our sensor shields with a regular sensor cable — no soldering required. It works with Arduino IDE, Mixly, Mind+, Scratch and mBlock.
What voltage does the Sharp IR Distance Sensor (GP2Y0A21, 80 cm) run on?
The Sharp IR Distance Sensor (GP2Y0A21, 80 cm) runs from a standard 3.3-5 V DC supply (USB or the controller’s 5 V rail). It draws only a few milliamps in normal operation, so it is safe to power from the controller board itself for classroom builds.
What projects is the Sharp IR Distance Sensor (GP2Y0A21, 80 cm) good for?
The Sharp IR Distance Sensor (GP2Y0A21, 80 cm) is built for STEM and robotics education: classroom demonstrations, science-fair projects, robotics club builds and competition robots. It pairs with the rest of our module range — same connectors, same voltage, same toolchain — so students move from first circuit to competition robot without changing platforms.
What certification do the robotics and electronics products carry?
Controller boards, sensors and modules ship with CE marking and RoHS-compliant components, and the range is designed for classroom use under teacher supervision. Product-specific test reports and declarations of conformity are available for distributors on request.
What is the minimum order quantity, and can I get a sample first?
These are standard catalogue lines with stable production, so minimums are low and lead times are short. Samples ship within about a week and are normally credited against a first order. Mixed-SKU cartons are accepted for evaluation orders.
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Need pricing on this line?
Send your target quantity, destination market and any changes you need to artwork, colourway or packaging. We reply with a quotation and the applicable compliance route — usually within one working day.