Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
15 results found in sensors.
- Accelerometer
- A sensor that measures acceleration forces, including the constant force of gravity, along one or more axes. Accelerometers in smartphones and wearable devices detect device orientation, movement, and…
- Capacitive Touch (Capacitive Sensing, Capacitive Touch Sensing)
- A touch detection technology that works by measuring changes in electrical capacitance when a conductive object, such as a human finger, comes near or contacts an electrode surface. The finger and ele…
- EMG Switch (Electromyography Switch, Muscle Signal Switch)
- An assistive technology switch that detects electrical signals produced by muscle contractions (electromyography) to generate a switch activation. EMG switches can detect even very small muscle moveme…
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
- A non-invasive method of recording electrical activity of the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp. In assistive technology, EEG is the primary sensing technology behind brain-computer interface…
- Gyroscope (Gyro Sensor)
- A sensor that measures rotational velocity around one or more axes, detecting how quickly a device is being turned or twisted. Combined with accelerometers in an inertial measurement unit, gyroscopes …
- Human Activity Recognition (HAR, Activity Recognition)
- A field of machine learning and ubiquitous computing that uses sensor data — typically from accelerometers, gyroscopes, and other sensors in smartphones, smartwatches, or other wearable devices — to a…
- Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
- An electronic sensor module that combines accelerometers and gyroscopes (and sometimes magnetometers) to measure motion, orientation, and gravitational forces. IMUs are embedded in smartphones, smartw…
- Inertial Sensing (IMU sensing, Inertial measurement)
- The use of accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers — often built into smartphones and wearable devices — to measure motion, orientation, and direction of movement. In accessibility applications,…
- Infrared Emitting Diode (IRED, IR LED, Infrared LED)
- A light-emitting diode that produces infrared radiation, used in assistive technology for motion tracking and position sensing. IREDs are commonly used in head-tracking systems, eye-tracking devices, …
- Occupancy Grid Map (2D occupancy grid, Grid map)
- A representation of an environment as a grid of cells, where each cell is labelled as walkable (free space), non-walkable (obstacle or wall), or unknown. Occupancy grid maps are a standard data struct…
- Posture Detection (Posture Monitoring, Posture Recognition)
- The use of sensors or computer vision to identify and monitor a person's body posture in real time. In assistive technology, posture detection systems can use accelerometers, gyroscopes, or cameras to…
- RGB-Depth Camera (RGB-D camera, Depth camera)
- A camera that captures both a conventional colour image (RGB) and a per-pixel depth map, usually via structured light, time-of-flight, or stereo sensing. RGB-D cameras are widely used in assistive nav…
- Touch Sensor (Touch-Sensitive Sensor, Tactile Sensor)
- An electronic component that detects physical contact or proximity of a finger or object on a surface. Touch sensors are used in accessible devices to enable direct tactile interaction, allowing blind…
- Wearable Sensor (Body-Worn Sensor, Wearable Device)
- A small electronic device worn on the body that continuously collects data about the wearer's movements, physiological state, or environment. In accessibility and rehabilitation contexts, wearable sen…
- Wearable Sensors (Body-Worn Sensors, Wearable Sensor Technology)
- Electronic devices worn on the body that collect data about movement, physiological signals, or environmental conditions. In accessibility contexts, wearable sensors include accelerometers, gyroscopes…