Smartwatches have become indispensable gadgets regarding safety, style, and comfort.

Additionally, they can act as a fitness tracker and help you monitor your health.

They come with a ton of useful features that make them more than just a simple timepiece.

Person monitoring heart rate on a smartwatch

Let’s take a closer look at the various types of sensors found in smartwatches and how they work.

Accelerometer

With a smartwatch, you’ll be able to take your fitness regime with you on the go.

An accelerometer is a useful sensor in fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, smartwatches, and smartphones.

Person looking at a smartwatch

The accelerometer can track your activity levels and offer insights based on your health goals.

GPS

GPS is a satellite-based positioning system that provides location information.

The most common system of GPS technology is to track your location and provide turn-by-turn directions for easy navigation.

Person managing notifications on a smartwatch

Gyroscope

Gyroscopes are a key component of any wearable gadget.

you’re free to get information about your current location and speed with these sensors.

Further, your smartwatch is constantly checking for changes in its orientation.

Person wearing an oxygen mask

If you move your wrist, it will notify you in real time and wake up the display.

Most smartwatches use reflectance pulse oximetry technology to measure the amount of infrared light reflected on your skin.

Usually, a score of 95 and higher indicates normal oxygen levels.

Tracking body composition in your fitness tracker

Bio-Impedance Sensors

Bio-impedance sensors can measure the amount of electrical current flowing through your body.

They measure changes in the impedance, resistance, or electrical conductivity of living tissues.

It can easily detect your health activities and state of well-being by measuring the changes in conductivity.

Resting heart rate on fitness tracker

These sensors can detect how active you’ve been.

In smartwatches and other wearables, the magnetometer allows motion detection, tracking, and direction.

In high-end smartwatches, they offer near-accurate results.

Measuring skin temperature in a person with a thermal scanner

Heart rate monitors can also detect irregularities in your pulse.

Gesture Sensors

Gesture sensors are a great way to make your smartwatch more useful and intuitive.

This goes a long way to improve user experience and personalize your interaction with smartphones or wearable devices.

Person looking at a smartwatch

Gesture sensors are particularly useful for people who have dexterity issues.

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