What is the difference between an accelerometer and a gyroscope?

An accelerometer measures linear acceleration, including the force of gravity, along three axes. A gyroscope measures angular velocity, or the rate of rotation around three axes. They provide different types of motion data.

Why do I need to grant permission to use device sensors?

Modern browsers require explicit user permission to access device motion and orientation sensors for privacy and security reasons. This prevents websites from tracking your movement or orientation without your consent.

What units are used for accelerometer and gyroscope data?

Accelerometer data is typically reported in meters per second squared (m/s²). Gyroscope data is usually reported in degrees per second (°/s) or radians per second (rad/s), depending on the API implementation.

Can this tool detect a faulty sensor?

Yes, if a sensor is faulty, its data stream might be erratic, stuck at zero, or show incorrect values even when the device is moved. This tool helps visualize such anomalies, indicating a potential hardware issue.

Does this work on all browsers and devices?

Most modern browsers on mobile devices (Android Chrome, Firefox, Edge) support the Device Orientation and Motion APIs. Safari on iOS also supports these APIs, though sometimes with specific permission requirements. Desktop browsers may have limited or no support unless the device has relevant sensors.

What is 'acceleration including gravity'?

`accelerationIncludingGravity` is the total acceleration measured by the accelerometer, which includes the constant force of gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s² downwards) in addition to any linear motion of the device. `acceleration` attempts to remove the gravity component.

Device Sensor Tester

Device Sensor Tester Overview

Test accelerometer, gyroscope, and other mobile sensors.

A Device Sensor Tester is an online utility that provides real-time visualization of data from a device's motion sensors, specifically the accelerometer and gyroscope. This tool allows users to observe changes in device orientation, acceleration along different axes, and rotational velocity. It helps in understanding how a device perceives its movement and position in 3D space, which is fundamental for many interactive applications and device functionalities. Technically, this tester leverages the Web Device Orientation API and Web Motion API, which expose sensor data to web browsers. The accelerometer measures linear acceleration (including gravity) along the X, Y, and Z axes, typically reported in meters per second squared (m/s²). The gyroscope measures rotational velocity (angular speed) around these same axes, usually in degrees per second or radians per second. The tool continuously polls these APIs and updates a graphical representation, often showing raw values and sometimes a 3D model reflecting the device's orientation. Real-world users include web developers building motion-controlled games or augmented reality (AR) experiences, mobile device owners troubleshooting sensor-related issues, and educators demonstrating physics concepts. It offers an accessible way to inspect sensor output without requiring specialized native applications or development environments.

How to Use Device Sensor Tester

Step 1: Open the Device Sensor Tester in your mobile device's web browser.
Step 2: Grant permission if prompted by the browser to access device motion and orientation sensors.
Step 3: Observe the real-time data streams for accelerometer (linear acceleration) and gyroscope (rotational velocity).
Step 4: Tilt, rotate, and move your device to see how the sensor values change.
Step 5: Compare the displayed values with expected behavior to check sensor functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an accelerometer and a gyroscope?: An accelerometer measures linear acceleration, including the force of gravity, along three axes. A gyroscope measures angular velocity, or the rate of rotation around three axes. They provide different types of motion data.
Why do I need to grant permission to use device sensors?: Modern browsers require explicit user permission to access device motion and orientation sensors for privacy and security reasons. This prevents websites from tracking your movement or orientation without your consent.
What units are used for accelerometer and gyroscope data?: Accelerometer data is typically reported in meters per second squared (m/s²). Gyroscope data is usually reported in degrees per second (°/s) or radians per second (rad/s), depending on the API implementation.
Can this tool detect a faulty sensor?: Yes, if a sensor is faulty, its data stream might be erratic, stuck at zero, or show incorrect values even when the device is moved. This tool helps visualize such anomalies, indicating a potential hardware issue.
Does this work on all browsers and devices?: Most modern browsers on mobile devices (Android Chrome, Firefox, Edge) support the Device Orientation and Motion APIs. Safari on iOS also supports these APIs, though sometimes with specific permission requirements. Desktop browsers may have limited or no support unless the device has relevant sensors.
What is 'acceleration including gravity'?: `accelerationIncludingGravity` is the total acceleration measured by the accelerometer, which includes the constant force of gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s² downwards) in addition to any linear motion of the device. `acceleration` attempts to remove the gravity component.

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