What is a Gyroscope?

A Gyroscope is a device for measuring or maintaining orientation, navigation, and angular velocity measurement. In other words, Gyroscope is a mechanism that has a quite high spinning speed, mass, and three degrees of freedom. The Gyroscope made using MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology is known as MEMS gyroscope. Gyros can be used as rate gyros or integrating gyros. There are various types of gyroscope i.e Mechanical Gyroscope, electronic gyroscope, MEMS gyroscope, etc.

• Benefits of Gyroscope

1. MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) version of gyroscopes are very small and light in weight.
2. Gyroscope has sensor resolution depends mostly on the spin rate of the rotor. Besides, it is much higher than other force or tilt sensors.
3. Gyroscope has high precision navigation systems as compass indicates true north as opposed to magnetic north, unlike magnetic compass.
4. It is fast in operation as well as measures relative orientation on all three axes.
5. Gyroscope measures all types of rotation. It also measures angular velocity.

•  Drawbacks of Gyroscope

1. Gyroscope does not measure linear motion in any direction or else any static angle of orientation.
2. Free moving gyroscope type is always dependent on the rotation of the Earth. That’s why fast-moving objects affecting a trajectory from the east to the west cannot use gyroscopes for navigation purposes.

• Applications of Gyroscopes

1. Gyroscope is widely used In Aeronautics and Aviation i.e. Remote control flying devices, helicopters, some hovercraft, etc. rely on gyroscopes to prevent them from flipping over or going into a spin.
2. Gyroscopes are used in various toys such as yo-yos, Frisbees, etc.
3. It is also used in smartphones, video game controllers, computer mice, and presentation mice.