Explore the fundamentals of sensors and their applications in embedded systems through this comprehensive lecture. Delve into the concept of sensors, their functionality, and practical implementations such as echo location and timing diagrams. Gain a thorough understanding of timer architectures, with a focus on AVR timer systems and output compare registers. Learn essential techniques for measuring signal width and effectively utilizing interrupts in microcontroller programming. Discover the importance of the volatile keyword and its role in embedded software development. Investigate innovative sensor applications, including the use of lasers, robot whiskers, and bump sensors, to enhance your knowledge of modern robotics and automation systems.