The new generation of the 16-inch MacBook Pro comes from the hand of significant changes to what Apple had us used to in the last 3 years, when the expected aesthetic renovation was launched in 2016, being the butterfly mechanism of the keyboards the one that has received the most attention from both the media and users.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro, not only reverts to classic scissor keyboard, but also includes a mysterious sensor located inside the equipment, specifically on the hinge, which is probably responsible for measuring the exact opening angle of the lid.
The guys at iFixit speculate that this sensor could be aimed at providing Apple a history of how users adjust the screen, to probably help diagnose potential backlight problems such as the well-known Flexgate, which may appear in the future (hopefully not).
As long as Apple does not offer information about the operation of this sensor, it is difficult to know more exactly what its specific function is. MacRumors has had access to the document available to the official workshops and where it can be read that both lThe equipment display and the lid angle sensor need to be calibrated after opening the equipment for any type of repair.
It is also likely that this sensor is associated with some macOS Catalina feature that has still been announced. However, the first theory makes more sense, since it will allow Apple to design the MacBook range in general based on the use that the majority of users make to do so. avoid future problems in general. This is probably not the only sensor available within the MacBook Pro focused on knowing how users use their equipment.