How Does A Pedometer Work?

A pedometer or a step tracker works by detecting your hand or hip movements for calculating the footsteps. When you fix it on your waist, the sensor and software inside the device monitor your steps.

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The Science Behind a Pedometer

Mechanical Pedometers 

Earlier, these sensors were completely mechanical, and a pedometer used the principle of the simple harmonic motion of a pendulum clock. When the pendulum swings back and forth, the gear wheel inside the clock moves one position forward and records each second. Similarly, when a person walks, his body swings back and forth along with his hand, leg, and hip movements. The mechanical pedometers used a pendulum inside, which also moved in tandem with the body’s motion. The gear, quite similar to that of a pendulum clock, advanced one position ahead and moved the hand around the dial, which was equivalent to a step.

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Partially Electronic Pedometers

With more advancements in technology, pedometers have undergone changes. In the partial electronic ones, the basic mechanism remains the same. It also has a small lever arm inside that flips up and down depending on how much your body shakes. But this lever is connected to an electronic circuit through a spring. When you make a move, the lever or hammer comes in contact with metal in the center. This completes one cycle of movement and activates the current to flow inside the circuit, which starts counting your steps. As you complete each step, the lever goes back to its original position, and the circuit is reset.

Fully Electronic 

The fully electronic ones use accelerometers instead of the pendulum hammer that can detect the smallest change in movement.

Smart Pedometers 

In addition to the earlier technology, the more recent ones use internal gyroscopes, location sensors, and GPS to give more accurate data.

FAQ

How does a pedometer work?

Earlier, these sensors were completely mechanical, and a pedometer used the principle of the simple harmonic motion of a pendulum clock. When the pendulum swings back and forth, the gear wheel inside the clock moves one position forward and records each second. Similarly, when a person walks, his body swings back and forth along with his hand, leg, and hip movements. The mechanical pedometers used a pendulum inside, which also moved in tandem with the body’s motion. The gear, quite similar to that of a pendulum clock, advanced one position ahead and moved the hand around the dial, which was equivalent to a step.

Additional Resources:

Harvard – Pedometers Promote Healthy Walking

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