Beacons transmit signals which can be picked up by all kinds of devices. They do not detect or measure anything.
A sensor is a device that measures various forms of input from its environment. The devices which pick up the beacon signals are sensors. The sensor will take the data gathered and convert it into information that can be interpreted by either a human or a machine. Typical uses of sensors in IoT are to measure temperature, proximity, pressure, smoke and more. Sensors are beneficial for tracking people and assets. Engineers and IoT professionals worldwide use sensors to enhance transportation systems, healthcare and industrial automation to name a few things.
