Q34. Consider the following action:
1. Detection of car crash/collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously.
2. Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off the hard drive.
3. Detection of the tilt of the smart-phone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode.
In how many of the above actions is the function of accelerometer required?
a. Only one
b. Only two
c. All three
d. None
Question from UPSC Prelims 2023 GS Paper
Explanation :
Correct Answer – c. All three
An accelerometer is a device that measures acceleration, playing a crucial role in different technologies. Let’s explore its applications in three distinct actions:
Detection of car crash/collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously.
Accelerometers are crucial in this scenario. They are used to detect sudden changes in a vehicle’s velocity. A rapid deceleration, indicative of a collision, triggers the accelerometer, which in turn signals the airbag system to deploy the airbags. This is a safety mechanism designed to protect the occupants in the event of a crash.
Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off the hard drive.
An accelerometer is needed to detect the sudden change in acceleration due to free fall, allowing the laptop to protect the hard drive.
Detection of the tilt of the smart-phone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode.
This action also utilizes an accelerometer. Smartphones contain accelerometers to sense the orientation of the device. When you tilt your phone, the accelerometer detects this change and the software adjusts the display from portrait to landscape mode or vice versa, based on the orientation.