Unstable Gyroscope readings

[MyEcho]

Hi everyone,
Just wondering if anyone's working on the Accelerometer, Gyroscope and Orientation sensors.
Since the last FW update, I've been getting  very good results from the Accelerometer, but very unstable results from the Gyroscope, varying even when the watch is static.
Was wondering if anyone else is experiencing this.
Thanks in advance,
Eddie

[byrneca]

Eddie,

How did you access the raw data exactly please and can you only access current/31 day data or is it possible to access historical X,Y,Z data? Trying to access this data for non-profit research in elderly. Tks

[MyEcho]

Hi Byrneca,

Sorry for the slow response.  Busy days.

I'm reading realtime values from the sensor on the watch and conducting analysis.  Not storing the data yet.  It's all work in progress.

The best code base I've found for reading from the sensors is Ally's code.  Refer to the thread at https://community.fitbit.com/t5/SDK-Development/No-access-to-all-sensors/m-p/2373088.

Best of luck,
Eddie

[byrneca]

Hi Eddie, thank you for the direction to AllyAnns code I appreciate it. I am conducting research into monitoring elders at home using a fitbit (sleep, movement, HR, orientation in space) in conjunction with motion sensors, fridge sensors etc. FitBit is useful as it is unobtrusive and motivational. Trying to figure out how to pull historical data from the IMU and not real-time data for long-term analysis. Any assistance greatly appreciated 🙂

[Gondwana]

I don't think old data is retained for those sensors. As far as I can tell, it's used internally to determine what the wearer is doing at that instant, and is then discarded. If you want historical records, you'll have to capture and communicate them yourself.

[byrneca]

Morning Catplace,

That is my suspicion also but I have been trying to ascertain whether historical IMU data can be recovered before I abandon this research avenue. Thank you for your assistance it is appreciated.

[Gondwana]

@byrnecaI'm wasn't intending to imply that what you want can't be done. I think it can; it's just that you'll have to do more of the leg-work than you first thought. The biggest problem could be that your app/clockface can only collect data while it's running; if the wearer opens another app, there'll be a gap in the data. Ergo, you'd probably want your data collection code to be done in a well-featured clockface.

I think there's a feature suggestion somewhere for allowing apps to run in the background. This would be highly beneficial for you.

[MyEcho]

Hi Cataplace,

I do believe some of the motion data is retained, as it's used for sleep analysis.  This function works even if the phone only uploads the motion and heart data from the watch well after the sleep has ended.
I agree with you though that the current API Fitibit has opened up to us 3rd party developers does not give us access to that data.
Eddie

[byrneca]

Morning,

thank you for your comments I appreciate them. Am I correct in assuming that any IMU data extraction is only feasible via the Ionic watch and not other fitbit trackers?

[Gondwana]

tl;dr: Yes.

The Ionic is the only Fitbit that can run third-party apps on the device ATM (although I gather new models will be released soon). The only way to get data from other Fitbits is via the web API and, as previously discussed, this almost certainly won't include the rawish data that you seek.

An additional random thought for free: if you're cashed up, you could have your clients wear Ionics as well as their normal watches. Just use the Ionics as sensors, and discourage your clients from closing your data collection app/clockface. That way, you're more likely to get uninterrupted data. Seems weird, but some ppl wear multiple watches for fashion reasons, so there are precedents.

[byrneca]

Thank you Catplace but regrettably as my research subjects are elderly people unused to any interfaces much less Ionic App UI's this option is not really feasible in a real world setting....back to the drawing board 🙂

[john-msu]

hi byrneca, good luck with your project.

Possibly your app could have a blank clockface (or maybe it just says "OK") so that your data is collected and the subjects just ignore it?

Apparently the new Versa model also works with the SDK, so you could get a device for $200 now.  

[islh757]

Hi there,

I'm working on a project using orientation sensor and gyroscope to detect a specific action. For example a specific karate move, if it is done right then count the moves. Please help me in achieving this. I'm a good student who can learn and pick up quickly. Looking forward for your help. Thanks, Faizan