VL6180X Time-of-Flight Proximity Sensor – TOF050C (up to 50 cm)

A close-range laser sensor for touchless interaction. The TOF050C module uses ST's VL6180X, which is tuned for short distances. It's very precise in the first few centimetres, where bigger ToF sensors struggle, which makes it ideal for detecting a hand hovering over a sleeve or a bag flap opening.

Bonus: the VL6180X also has a built-in ambient light sensor, so one board gives you both proximity and brightness. Like the TOF200C, it has a protective lens cover and mounting holes for sewing or screwing it in place.

Specifications

• Sensor: ST VL6180X (TOF050C module)
• Range: 0 to about 50 cm max; most accurate under 20 cm
• Emitter: 850 nm Class 1 IR (eye-safe)
• Extras: ambient light sensing
• Interface: I2C, default address 0x29
• Supply voltage: 3–5V
• Operating temperature: −20 to +70 °C

Pin Definitions

• VIN — Power in, 3–5V
• GND — Ground
• SCL — I2C clock
• SDA — I2C data
• INT / GPIO1 — Interrupt output
• SHUT — Shutdown — pull low to turn off

Project Ideas

Wave-to-activate LEDs on a sleeve or cuff, a handbag that lights its interior when the flap lifts, touchless controls for a wearable music player, or a glove that measures how close your hand is to an object.

Good to know

Use a VL6180X library such as Adafruit_VL6180X or Pololu VL6180X. VL53L0X libraries won't work with this chip.

Pair It With

Pair it with the Adafruit ESP32-C3 QT Py or Beetle ESP32 [Sewable]. For longer range (up to 2 m) choose the VL53L0X TOF200C. Using several I2C sensors? The I2C 8-channel multiplexer helps.

In the box

• TOF050C VL6180X laser ranging module × 1
• Header pins × 1 set