What is Gyroscope? If you want to measure or maintain orientation and direction, also known as angular velocity, then you use a gyroscope. This device is built on the scientific principle of conservation of angular momentum, which it uses to resist changes to its orientation, This resistance is used to measure movement, and can be used in navigation systems and motion tracking devices. Definition of a Gyroscope The definition of a gyroscope is a device with a spinning element, usually a wheel or disc, with an axle that is free to take any orientation. The device is not affected by tilting or rotation, essentially it is fixed in space, due to the law of conservation of angular momentum. Gyroscope Sensor Sometimes just shortened to gyro, a gyroscope sensor is a compact version of the larger gyroscopes and will measure how fast an angle of movement is changing, that is, the speed of change in orientation. Your phone has one that controls which way the display orientates depending on how you move the phone, and they are also found in game controllers and drones, where they maintain balance and provide accurate spatial orientation data in flight. How Does a Gyroscope Work? A Gyroscope uses two central principles to operate: The law of conservation of angular momentum. The gyroscope's rigidity in space. When the wheel spins in your gyroscope, angular momentum is conserved, so the spinning motion will continue along the axis of spin it began with. This process provides resistance to changes in orientation, because it will always want to maintain that original direction, even if you apply external forces. Gyroscopes in Telematics While we have spoken about the application of gyroscopes in phones, drones and game controllers, whether to maintain an orientation or measure changes in orientation, gyroscopes can also be found in telematics systems too. Here, they are used to track changes in direction as well as both acceleration and braking, essential data for any telematics system. In combination with other sensor equipment, including accelerometers and GPS systems, the data generated by a gyroscope in your vehicle allows for continual, real-time data collection on vehicle movement, and with it, driver behavior. For fleet management, accident assessors and more, this is crucial data that can be used for a wide range of tasks. Conclusion Understanding what gyroscopes do and how they work can help anyone working in telematics development, or who flies drones or just wants to know a bit more about how their phone knows which orientation to display their screen in.
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