Best sensor for close range hand detection?

Other Hardware Sensors
1

Hello all!

I'm pretty new to the circuitry world so this might seem like a fairly basic question. Basically all I need to do is to sense the wave of a hand in front of a sensor. I'm going to use this hand wave to activate a light on my circuit. The hand wave should be very close - like basically touch-distance out to about a foot would be fine. I've been researching what type of sensor might be best for this but I can't find anything that seems suitable!

I need something that runs on 3v and is very small (and preferably not super expensive). Does anyone know what might work?

Thanks so much!
WW

2

Check out Ping sensor
http://www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/ping/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/92/Default.aspx
Look in the playground for example code to use it.

3

Ah, but you said 3V. So you may need a boost regulator also.

4

You might look at the Pololu optical sensors also, such as

5

Here you go, 3V sensor

6

Oh wow, that Pololu sensor looks perfect, thanks!!