antenna / feeler
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antenna
A long, thin sensory organ on the head of insects and other arthropods, used for touching, smelling, or tasting.
Als sich der Käfer bedroht fühlte, zog er sofort seine Fühler ein.
When the beetle felt threatened, it immediately pulled in its antennae.
to put out feelers
An idiom meaning to cautiously gather information or explore possibilities before making a decision.
Das Unternehmen streckt seine Fühler nach neuen Märkten in Asien aus.
The company is putting out feelers for new markets in Asia.
The noun 'der Fühler' (antenna/feeler) is derived directly from the verb 'fühlen' (to feel). So a 'Fühler' is literally an organ with which a living creature can feel or touch something.
Die Schnecke tastet mit ihren Fühlern den Weg ab.
The snail feels its way along with its feelers.
The idiom 'die Fühler ausstrecken' (to put out feelers) is very common. It is often used with the preposition 'nach' (for/toward) to name the target of the exploration.
Vor der Investition streckt die Firma ihre Fühler nach potenziellen Partnern aus.
Before making the investment, the company is putting out feelers for potential partners.
You can almost always recognize the figurative meaning by the verb 'ausstrecken' (to stretch out/put out). The literal meaning with animals, on the other hand, is often used with verbs such as 'haben' (to have), 'einziehen' (to pull in), or 'bewegen' (to move).
Der Schmetterling hat lange, dünne Fühler.
The butterfly has long, thin antennae.
sensor
The accepted meanings do not overlap here. “Der Sensor” is a technical component used to measure properties of the surroundings, while “der Fühler” refers to a sensory organ of insects or other arthropods. The words therefore cannot stand for each other in this context.
Das Insekt bewegt seine Fühler, während es nach Nahrung sucht.
The insect moves its antennae while searching for food.
Der Sensor misst die Helligkeit und schaltet bei Dunkelheit das Licht ein.
The sensor measures the brightness and switches on the light when it gets dark.
