Motion Sensor

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What Does Motion Sensor Mean?

A motion sensor is a device that detects physical movement on a device or within an environment. It has the ability to detect and capture physical and/or kinetic movements in real time.

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A motion sensor is also known as a motion detector.

Techopedia Explains Motion Sensor

A motion sensor is a type of electronic sensor. It is usually embedded within consumer-end devices such as:

  • Smartphones
  • Smart TVs
  • Tablet computers
  • Physical security systems

Depending on the ability of the motion sensor, it can detect motions within the device in which it is integrated or the surrounding environment. It is usually connected with a system or software that processes the motion into an action or information. For example, in smart phones, motion sensors are primarily used to take input from users in supported games and other applications.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.