Pedometer
Used originally by sports and physical fitness enthusiasts, pedometers are now becoming popular as an everyday exercise counter and motivator.
A total of 10,000 steps per day, equivalent to 8 kilometres (5.0 mi), is recommended by some to be the benchmark for an active lifestyle, although this point is debated among experts, and the target originated in a marketing campaign by a manufacturer of pedometers.
Clinical studies have shown Pedometers to increase physical activity and reduce blood pressure levels and Body Mass Index.
"[10] In 1780 Abraham-Louis Perrelet of Switzerland created a pedometer, measuring the steps and distance while walking; it was based on a 1770 mechanism of his to power a self-winding watch.
[12] It is not known if he modified the design; although this pedometer is widely attributed to Jefferson,[13][14] proof is difficult to obtain as he did not apply for patents on any of his inventions.
The software technology used to interpret the output of the inertial sensor and "make sense of accurate steps" varies widely.
The problem is compounded by the fact that in modern day-to-day life, such step-counters are expected to count accurately on locations where users frequently carry their devices (attached to the belt, shirt/pants pocket, hand bag, backpack).
Typically, step counters are reasonably accurate at a walking pace on a flat surface if the device is placed in its optimal position (usually vertically on the belt clip).
Although traditional step counters are affected dramatically when placed at different angles and locations, recent advances have made them more robust to those non-ideal placements.
The addition of the separate always on coprocessor allows the main CPU to snooze while it tracks the motion of the phone, through the use of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) consisting of an accelerometer, MEMS gyroscope and digital compass.
This means that it will know when you're jogging or when you're in the car, and can take that information and store it without needing to drain the battery by having the main CPU run.
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus contains the next generation of the Apple Motion Coprocessors with the M8 motion coprocessor, this chip was paired with the vastly improved Apple A8 SoC processor and gained the added sensor input of a Bosch Sensortech Barometer allowing the M8 to sense changes in elevation by the change in barometric pressure.
Apple Watch works in parallel with a connected iPhone to improve accuracy of the user's step count.
[citation needed] Some higher-end Fitbit models include additional features such as heart rate monitoring and GPS tracking.
Since most smartphones, iPod Touches and some MP3 players are enhanced with an integrated accelerometer it is possible to introduce pedometer functionality to these devices.
[28] The Nokia 5500 Sports Phone uses an embedded 3 axis MEMS inertial sensor to detect the steps a user takes.
The Sony Ericsson W710 and W580 Walkman phones use embedded 2 axis MEMS inertial sensors to detect the steps a user takes.
Unlike the Personal Trainer: Walking pedometers, the Pokéwalker features a small LCD screen and multiple buttons.
[30] This pedometer is easily fooled, however, and 'steps' can be created by simply lifting the device up and down in the hand with a motion similar to walking.
This MP3 capable pedometer measures aerobic intensity and matches songs on the playlist to keep the user engaged and motivated.
Tractivity's online web application provides a graphical experience and motivational resource to encourage people to lead healthier lifestyles.
