sensors
 

will infared sensors work through glass? and can they be programmed to perform a function only after activated for a certain time, say 3 seconds?

What kind of infrared sensors are you using? The sensors don't do anything on their own, they just measure a value and let you know what it is. Its up to you to take that information and do something useful with it.

Infrared through glass
 

Not sure - [I know that UV doesn't go through glass]

But here's a way to check: Try it (under power) through the glass you plan to use, and if the light comes on, then you know it can .......if it doesn't, why not just drill a hole through the glass where you place the sensor.

(Info came from Bob Koehl, engineer on Team Ford FIRST)

IR LED's can be seen on a CamCorder
 

If you are trying to debug IR stuff, there is nothing so useful as a camcorder.

The CCD sensors are sensitive to infrared frequencies.

Try it. It works.

Joe J.

IR will go through glass

it will also go through black electrical tape (its transparent to IR)

I know. Infared should pop up as a purplish haze on a digital camera.
Electrical tape on the floor will work. I have seen plenty of line following robots follow a line of electrical tape. In fact read all the way to the bottom of the webpage.
sensor