If you haven't spent much time around agricultural equipment, you may not know that modern tractors are very large, very powerful, and increasingly sophisticated to handle the rough terrain and other conditions they deal with every day.

One of the worst parts of being stuck in traffic (besides the frustration and the need to watch the cars around you lest one of them do something stupid and dangerous) is the smell. The fumes you can smell are bad enough, but the real nasties are, too often, chemicals that have no scent at all, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and a slew of volatile organic compounds.

The development of "active," noncontact sensors based on Hall effect, magnetoresistive, and variable-reluctance transformer technologies is penetrating the established market of "passive," contact sensors—and increasingly taking market share for automotive speed and position applications, says market research firm Strategy Analytics. "This is being driven by the need for improved reliability as well as increased functionality and accuracy," notes senior analyst Simon Schofield.

Scientists at the University of Manchester, U.K., are developing a new type of wireless sensor to remotely monitor mechanical parts and systems and allow predictions of breakdowns in advance of failure.

Savvy sensor buyers watch the automotive market. That's because this cost- and reliability-conscious industry makes tough demands of sensor developers?demands that ultimately benefit other applications. And this is car show season, so it's time to pay attention.

One of the characteristics of luxury cars is how quiet it is within the passenger compartment. A smooth and quiet ride is an important part of the overall experience of the car.