I am always impressed when existing technology is applied to a problem in a new and unique way. That is what Hövding, a Swedish design house has done with motion sensors and microcontrollers from STMicroelectronics. In spite of the fact that bicycle helmets reduce injuries by at least 60%, many cyclists do not use them. Existing designs […]
Accelerometer
Small Spherical Sensor Detects Motion
Products that are only switched on and used when they are in motion can benefit from a simple sensor that detects slight movements and vibrations by means of a mobile micro sphere. The Sensolute MVS0409.02 omnidirectional Micro Vibration Sensor consists of a gold-plated ball that bridges two similarly plated contacts reducing the resistance between the […]
Motion Processing IP Cores for Sensing Applications
With the combined market for MEMS accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers and pressure sensors in mobile devices predicted to exceed 4 billion units by 2015, Movea, a motion-processing and data fusion technology company, has a solution for higher performance and lower power consumption. The company’s MotionCore product line is a family of motion processing IP Cores designed […]
Robot Provides Virtual Presence at 2012 CES (Pt 2)
At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Alexandra Dopplinger, a marketing manager at Freescale Semiconductor explains the capability of a remote robot that she controls from her location in Ottawa, Canada. Freescale’s pressure sensors and accelerometers are used in the design of the robot as well as proximity sensors to detect […]
Robot Provides Virtual Presence at 2012 CES (Pt 1)
Ned Semonite, vice president of products at VGo Communications explains the company’s robotic telepresence product at the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. Freescale’s pressure sensors and accelerometers are used in the design of the robot as well as proximity sensors to detect stairs or potential collisions and a camera to view […]
Nine-Axis Sensing Enables Games and Augmented Reality
At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Frank Melzer, CEO of Bosch Sensortec demonstrates 9-axis sensing using a combined accelerometer and eCompass magnetometer with the company’s newest 3×3-mm triaxial gyroscope, the BMG160. The 9-degree of freedom sensing combined with an imaging system and additional software enables augmented reality. In addition, Melzer […]
To Your Health: 3-Axis Accelerometers and Gyroscopes Provide Feedback
At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Eric Zorich, CEO of Diesel Dogs describes how a three-axis accelerometer and three-axis gyroscope are used to provide a set of Smart Weights. The software in the design allows users to properly exercise and obtain the maximum benefit from a workout. The concept placed […]
Nine-Axis MEMS Motion Sensing
At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, David Borison of InvenSense demonstrates the capabilities of nine-axis motion sensing using the company’s newly introduced MPU-9150 nine-axis (gyro + accelerometer + compass) MEMS MotionTracking device. The multi-axis sensor incorporates MotionFusion and run-time firmware that simplifies motion sensing in end products. To further simply […]
Sensing in an Armband Health Monitor
Nick Wilson of BodyMedia discusses the sensing and capabilities of the company’s two health monitoring devices at the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. To watch the video, click here. For more information about BodyMedia FIT Armbands, click here.
Accelerometer Helps Archers Hit the Mark
When new products are introduced, manufacturers like to identify other potential applications beyond the one used to drive product development. Mounting an accelerometer on an arrow tip to provide ballistic measurements to evaluate bows probably was not on any accelerometer manufacturer’s list. However, that is what Full Flight Technology does to improve high-performance archery. Using […]