The characteristics of non-contact sensors for measuring displacements, deformations, and vibration parameters using processes of various physical nature are compared. Within the framework of the diffuse-mirror reflection model, the efficiency of using optocouplers for developing non-contact vibration displacement sensors is substantiated. The urgent tasks of research and development of sensors using near infrared radiation reflected from the surface of the controlled object are formulated. The research technique based on modern algorithms and means of digital processing of vibrosignals is given. The difficulties of studying the metrological characteristics of sensors in a wide dynamic and frequency ranges using electrodynamic vibration stands are considered. The results of a full-scale study of the basic metrological characteristics of a prototype optoelectronic sensor providing measurements of displacements with an amplitude of up to 5 mm in the frequency range from 0 to 3 kHz are presented. The results of analysis of the amplitude-frequency characteristics of the sensor in the range from 5 Hz to 3 kHz, obtained using two disks made on a 3D printer, are presented. The advantages and disadvantages of non-contact sensors based on infrared optocouplers are given.