Fingerprint Sensor AS608 - A Beginner's Guide
One touch can replace keys. This project uses an optical fingerprint sensor to enroll users and then grant access with a quick scan.
read tutorial →
Add Gesture, Color, Light, and Proximity Sensing to One Compact Build
The Adafruit APDS9960 Proximity, Light, RGB, and Gesture Sensor - STEMMA QT / Qwiic is a versatile multi-function sensor breakout that gives your project four useful sensing features in one small board. It can detect basic hand gestures, measure proximity, read ambient light, and capture RGB color data, making it a great fit for interactive electronics, touch-free controls, and smart sensing projects.
Instead of using separate modules for color, gesture, and distance-style sensing, this breakout combines them into one easy-to-wire I2C device. That makes it a strong option for compact builds, beginner projects, and polished prototypes where you want more features with less wiring.
Important: This sensor communicates over I2C and includes onboard 3.3V regulation and logic level shifting, so it works more easily with both 3.3V and 5V development boards. It also supports STEMMA QT / Qwiic for solderless hookup, but the QT cable is not included.
Why you'll love it
- 4 sensing functions in one board: Gesture, proximity, ambient light, and RGB color sensing
- Easy I2C interface: Simple wiring for microcontrollers and SBCs
- Built-in IR emitter system: Integrated IR LED and driver help enable gesture and proximity sensing
- Directional gesture support: Great for swipe-style controls and interactive interfaces
- Configurable interrupt output: Useful for threshold-triggered events
- 3V and 5V friendly: Onboard regulator and level shifting simplify integration
- STEMMA QT / Qwiic ready: Fast no-solder I2C setup
What you can build
This breakout is ideal for touchless control panels, gesture-triggered lighting, proximity wake-up systems, color-aware sorting demos, smart home interfaces, interactive art projects, robotics sensing, and educational projects that explore multiple sensor types on a single board.
Starter bundles
Pair it with an Arduino-compatible board, Raspberry Pi, or Adafruit Feather, plus a STEMMA QT cable for quick setup and testing.
Recommended add-ons
Useful add-ons include OLED displays, RGB LEDs, QT cables, battery packs, and enclosures for creating compact interactive sensor projects.
Technical specifications
| Product | Adafruit APDS9960 Proximity, Light, RGB, and Gesture Sensor - STEMMA QT / Qwiic |
|---|---|
| Main Sensor | APDS9960 |
| Interface | I2C |
| Sensing Functions | Gesture sensing, proximity sensing, ambient light sensing, and RGB color sensing |
| Gesture Support | Directional gestures including left-to-right, right-to-left, up-to-down, and down-to-up |
| Proximity Detection | Measures object distance from the front of the sensor up to a few centimeters |
| Proximity Resolution | 8-bit |
| Optical System | Integrated IR LED and driver with four directional photodiodes |
| Interrupt Support | Configurable interrupt for proximity or color threshold events |
| Logic / Power Compatibility | Works with 3.3V or 5V systems using onboard regulator and level shifting |
| Connector Type | Dual STEMMA QT / Qwiic-compatible JST SH connectors |
| Board Format | 0.7" × 1.0" STEMMA QT sensor standard with four mounting holes |
Pinout & usage notes
Since the APDS9960 uses I2C, wiring is straightforward and works well with many common microcontrollers. The breakout is especially handy when you want one sensor to handle both interactive gestures and environment-aware input like light, color, and near-object detection.
Adafruit’s library already supports the basic directional gestures, while more advanced custom motion patterns can be explored in software if your project needs more specialized interaction.
What’s in the box
1 × Adafruit APDS9960 sensor breakout
1 × header strip for soldering
Note: STEMMA QT cable is not included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can this sensor detect?
It can detect basic gestures, proximity, ambient light levels, and RGB color information.
Can I use it with Arduino or Raspberry Pi?
Yes. It uses I2C and works well with many microcontrollers and Linux-capable boards.
Does it support touchless gesture control?
Yes. It can detect simple directional gestures such as left, right, up, and down.
Is it 3.3V or 5V compatible?
It supports both more easily because the breakout includes onboard regulation and logic level shifting.
Is the QT cable included?
No. The board has STEMMA QT / Qwiic connectors, but the cable is sold separately.
Manila stock. Order before 16:00 PHT, ships today via J&T or LBC. Provincial: 1–3 working days.
Schools / class POs: we accept Purchase Orders for accredited schools and universities. contact us with your PO details.
Returns: 7-day inspection window for DOA units. Email proof of issue and we ship a replacement.
Compatibility & downloads
// downloads
- GitHub PCB repo git
Customers also bought
Build with this board
Thumb Joystick - A Beginner's Guide
Wire a joystick to your Arduino, read X/Y, then print UP / DOWN / LEFT / RIGHT to the serial monitor.
read tutorial →Motor Drive (BTS7960 43A) - A Beginner's Guide
Bench-test a 43 A motor driver before wiring the full project. Catches weak power, mis-pinning, and dead boards before they cost you time.
read tutorial →Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040) - A Beginner's Guide
Coming from UNO and the Pico won't show a COM port? Here's the BOOTSEL trick, the driver fix, and the first sketch that actually works.
read tutorial →Notes from the bench
Ask the community
Project Showcase — show what you built
Share what you built. Photos, BOM, what worked, what didn't.
view thread →How to ask a good question (and actually get answers)
Symptom + what you tried + clear photo = answers within hours.
view thread →ESP32 brownout when wiring a sensor — fixes that worked
Brownout reset when adding a sensor? Notes on supply decoupling and GPIO checks.
view thread →First Arduino — sketch upload error, what to try?
Upload failing on your first Uno? Driver, COM port, board match — checklist inside.
view thread →