How a Smartphone Knows Up from Down (accelerometer)

Bill takes apart a smartphone and explains how its accelerometer works. He also shares the essential idea underlying the MEMS production of these devices.This video is based on a chapter from the EngineerGuy team's latest book Eight Amazing Engineering Stories (Learn more at www.engineerguy.com/elements)

[@greysonsawyer4836]

It's not how it's done that amazes me. It's how people that have the patience to first of all, get it to work, than continue operation until these things can be mass produced for everyone. True heros

[@stevegovea1]

I agree

[@sim61642]

Greyson Sawyer Our hero the robot of course!

[@chubacca7666]

Greyson Sawyer Money. lol it's a great motivator

[@glialcell6455]

successful cash grabbers are the closest you're going to get to heroes in this society.

[@triplenz]

Greyson Sawyer so true. so much underrated geniuses out there.

[@karrotop]

I came expecting you to explain how they made an accelerometer without any moving parts. My mind is officially blown.

[@vclarke4433]

Shoutout to the people that thought of recreating an accelerometer in this way. Truly creative

[@MrBrew4321]

Agreed. Very creative of them. But it's worth noting that... Necessity is the true mother of invention. It's our obsession with these smart phones that drove the engineers to minify all these cool technologies to the max. Thank you "our obsession" lol. :D

[@yoloswaggins2161]

Back when it was possible to take smartphones apart nondestructively.

[@JordanPeterson.]

Back when they weren't waterproof

[@TheOfficialCzex]

@@JordanPeterson. They could be waterproof and still easy to disassemble. Take mechanical wristwatches, for example. The majority have backs that twist off and utilize a sealing ring and silicone sealant.

[@JordanPeterson.]

@@TheOfficialCzex yeh true..i was just saying what the phone companies would say as their reason

[@redi6460]

Samsung s5 is waterproof and the back is removable as well.

[@JordanPeterson.]

@@redi6460 I had S5 and the it damage in water...the back is not 100%

[@gauravkar4805]

Engineers are really underrated

[@JustinCrediblename]

they're great when they're engineering, but usually terrible outside of it. "I'm studying to be a civil engineer" "You must be mistaken. Civil engineers don't exist"

[@_Super_Hans_]

Not really

[@pornhubchairman7]

Nope

[@billybassman21]

Sad they get the same reconnition in some circles if not less than a women's or diversity studies major.

[@CaveyMoth]

They can capture whole buildings in an enemy base!

[@DrewMarold]

I used to work for the semiconductor firm Analog Devices. I was there when they made the very first MEMS accelerometer. One thing not mentioned here is that that device actually used a force feedback mechanism, not gravity. It constantly measures the force required to keep the moving beam centered between the comb fingers and translates that to acceleration.

[@muysantos2859]

after 11 years, now thats awesome!!

[@angelofs4]

Amazing. Why don't they tell us this stuff? Im sure people can appreciate phones more if they only knew how interesting it was

[@reznoire]

+Billy Willy By "they', the poster meant smart phone manufacturers directly telling people. In which case, the answer is that the masses care more about hard numbers like relative processing power and storage capacity, rather than potentially learning something.

[@angelofs4]

+Billy Willy I was telling this to everyone i know and their jaws just dropped. Not one person knew about this and took the tech for granted.

[@GAMERCREEDbrickjet]

+Angel Kakani bcoz the average or at least majority of users wont understand nor will they care. it'll be bad an unnecessary thing to do business-wise

[@predatortheme]

Alot of people just use their phone and dont care about the amount of hours that went into engineering something. People destroy working phones, consoles, tvs, everything.

[@klausgaming7365]

It's not simply because people don't care. It's because, if you are trying to sell a product, you must show what makes it different/better compared to the alternative. If every smartphone comes with an accelerometer, it doesn't matter for the decision to buy one.

[@inventgineer]

Just want to express my appreciation for your channel. As a soon-to-be engineer, as well as simply someone with a naturally inquisitive mind, I greatly appreciate you sharing these videos with myself and others. I also want to compliment you on your highly-effective ability to present; you speak at a relaxed-but-confident speed and break otherwise (as seen by a layman) complex processes into simple, easy-to-understand explanations. You not only provide engineers like myself entertainment and learning opportunity, but you encourage curiosity in others by making learning very palatable. Keep up the good work :)

[@stevegovea1]

I just found a great teacher!

[@MarioDragon]

What the holy, 30 minutes in and 300k views.

[@razercp9322]

Hey MarioDragon you grew your channel from 8 years ago, nice job!

[@Dan-fe2dq]

Lol that’s nothing in 2020

[@Jack-og1th]

@@Dan-fe2dq man that was 8 years ago 😲 if that's true that's amazing just in 30 minutes

[@balto2455]

why do i even see this comment 8 years later?

[@cranstoncody8120]

I’m amazed all 6 of the people here have arrived in 2020

[@danielhuang2488]

This guy is the best teacher on the internet.

[@grandexandi]

smartphones are so common that we don't appreciate the overwhelming level of technology in them

[@visheshl]

Amazing, i always wondered how they did it, my idea was a cylinder with a ball falling with gravity...i was close...

[@bishopcherrycoke6654]

This is amazing, not only are we able to do this but people have discovered the way to do this. Thank you for the video.

[@AD-ng4mz]

You are fabulous Bill. I really like the way you explain these complex things around us. Thanks.

[@ObjectsInMotion]

What about the phone's magnetometer and gyroscopes?

[@diggerpete9334]

Than you your videos amaze me without fail.

[@TGCtgc0108]

This guy looks like Mark Hamil

[@discreet_boson]

@SaltyBrains all we know is, he's the engineer guy

[@heroeslore03]

I miss him

[@domsusefulstuff]

I will note the changes I saw; all minor points that everyone misses. I love your approach and humility. Your respect for the past mirrors my own. I recently heard Elisha Otis' first name in an episode of "Archer" and then got to read the history in your wonderful book. I have already repeated the amazing tale to my girlfriend who was equally awe-struck. Your perspective and style are a joy to read.

[@nealiohelio]

These videos are very educational and entertaining, despite the somewhat dry subject matter. Great job!

[@weirdyoda04]

I've been wondering about accelerometers for 9 years now, ever since I took apart a Wii remote and couldn't find any moving parts.

[@PandoraT377]

Good god it's amazing that people were able to figure this out. The small things that hold our world together that we never notice.

[@injusticeanywherethreatens4810]

Ha, you don't need god when you have science!

[@Zr0Mrcy]

Absolutely amazing. I love your videos and seeing the way this stuff works. Please do more! Lots more!

[@cravenhammock5401]

These videos have the perfect balance of explanation to the layman, and detail for those interested. Thanks so much.

[@Xanifur]

Science. Is. Amazing.

[@sfgjsd]

Xanifur wait until some fanatical god worshiper pops in and say that these tools are instruments of satan.Science fly you to the moon, Religion fly you into the buildings

[@noble20xx56]

sfgjsd Lol instruments of Satan.

[@AuH2O]

Anal. Sex. Too.

[@OKB1133]

Fascinating...

[@jeepzj2095]

Whooosh the sound of everything I just learned leaving my brain forever... flawless video as always!

[@tigercake558]

I enjoy your videos - they're clear, interesting, and just nice to watch! (I love the backing music too!)

[@cameronbelcher3677]

Your videos are inspiring. :) I want to be an Engineer, now. :D

[@strangerinastrangeland8026]

Sir you deserve MUCH more subscriber!! :)

[@futuramabender2078]

*subscribers

[@nasaofficial4717]

I truly truly truly appreciate this video. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

[@Brodes1983]

It's people like you who inspire & keep me motivated to complete my engineering degree. I love this stuff.

[@Tutoelectro1]

Sorry about that :), Great video as always!

[@Kaushikpatil]

Hi whoever else is watching the video in 2020❤️

[@foodlovingpig]

It's awesome to see you doing videos again. You do some of the best stuff on KZbin.

[@StuartAlldritt]

Love your book by the way. Keep up the great work!

[@danjbundrick]

I can't believe how brilliant collective humanity can be.

[@Jack-og1th]

And still ignores GOD

[@angadsingh9314]

@@Jack-og1th Because there is no evidence of God, dear

[@SoWhat1221]

Eh, humanity as a collective is pretty stupid. There are bright individuals, though, like the ones who came up with this.

[@danjbundrick]

@@angadsingh9314 No evidence for God? Jesus I'm an atheist and I'm not even that dumb

[@angadsingh9314]

@@danjbundrick Let's hear them then.

[@dam6.6]

this guy makes me feel so stupid. I must study furtherrrr

[@kitty7092]

My brain gets exhausted from trying to understand Q_Q

[@sobysunny123]

dnt study just do some project,,, u can also explain like tis 1 day. ur own project ur own idea !

[@dam6.6]

James S. haha that's how I feel at times

[@luckyeddy350]

Amen to that brother.

[@gmr47]

So it's 6 years later how did all that studying pay off

[@aviavi4684]

love the way you explain the things..

[@AlmightyDemon]

Incredible video series. The explanation is so good and on point.

[@jonnnyboy96]

"How a Smartphone Knows Up from Down" It's smart. Duh..

[@virtualbro8571]

8 years but imma still laughing..😂😂😂.... Are you alive mate??😂😂

[@dangerousnigga7023]

@@virtualbro8571 I think he dead

[@engineerguyvideo]

I am still alive

[@virtualbro8571]

@@engineerguyvideo good to hear that... congratulations to survive 2020

[@engineerguyvideo]

So, far ... there are nine days left!

[@smgri]

i feel so dumb when I watch these videos . I always think...if I were the last guy on earth i could not even make a pencil ! This is from a guy with 3 degrees,,,,,;(

[@theconqueror1111]

To know what you don't know is the first step to enlightenment. It is a rare skill and a curse.

[@smgri]

luckily i know i dont know what i should know..hence i wish i knew what I never knew

[@marxmaratpaine]

@@smgri Joe Rogan had a great bit about that and how most of us think we're smart because we can go to the store and buy technology made by people who were _actually_ smart: "If I left you in the woods, completely alone with only an axe, how long until you can send me an e-mail?"

[@ihl0700677525]

Yep. The more you know, the more you realize how little you actually know.

[@alacastersoi8265]

Partially because you have no access to natural resources without heavy machinery, unlike before we used them all up.

[@drivehackstudios]

You are my hero....awesome videos, Bill, I'm truly sad I hadn't found you earlier.

[@PetriAL]

I do love your videos, such clear articulation on engineering related stuff. I hope you will continue to do this videos for a long time. Greetings from Finland :)

[@MinecraftEpicPlayer]

So you're telling me there's NOT a miniature wizard inside my phone who casts a spell to tell its orientation? But that's what Wikipedia said!

[@Mr.FastZombie]

+MinecraftEpicPlayer They use wizards to do this process.

[@saltysoysauce954]

@@potato_x69 Nice spelling

[@knockhello2604]

You're a teacher

[@yoshiboi5989]

It's not wizard jizz, sadly

[@AYouTubeChannelwithNoName]

Yes

[@maheshchaudhary4090]

I got this video at the end of 2020

[@marco8060]

Iv been looking for how this was done for YEARS. He has been advertising this book for a while and this is the episode that finally made me want to read it.

[@semanavidi8694]

Great production, thank you.

[@pdsng69]

Who is watching this in 2020 lockdown.😷

[@LeoLol1517]

Absolutely no one : KZbin : hey, look at this guy explaining computer engineering

[@essehnova]

I like the manner in which you explain stuffs. It's always interesting to watch

[@LimitedWard]

I just discovered your videos today and I'm already blown away by how awesome they are :D

[@whiterook6]

what were the tiny gears was he referring to when he said "spinning at 300,000rpm"?

[@AuH2O]

ur dik

[@ianmullally3483]

@@AuH2O haha took u three year to say that, but it was good

[@AuH2O]

@@ianmullally3483 No, it took me 3 minutes. Why baselessly assume I viewed the video when it was first uploaded?

[@ianmullally3483]

@@AuH2O I meant it took you three years to reply to the original comment

[@AuH2O]

@@ianmullally3483 And I'm saying it *didn't*, you douche. It didn't take me longer than opening the video and glancing at the comments, and my comment was made the first time I saw the video. That the video was 3 years old at that point is irrelevant to how long it took ME to comment. You may say that I commented after three years, but you can definitely not say it took me three years to comment. You need some fucking grammar and English lessons, fool.

[@CoolDudeClem]

That's all very well but that doesn't explain how would it know up from down just by measuring motion alone. I mean it could be upside down or sideways when you turn it on and it wouldn't know any different, so what's actually telling it which way is down? (or up)

[@engineerguyvideo]

+CoolDudeClem Gravity!

[@carlosbarzottowirti1895]

Actually, he explains in the video: the gravity moves the 'blue' part, creating a eletric current in the 'green' parts... when the phone is tilted, the motion is ceased, so is the current

[@Tokaisho1]

And to get the different axis, left right, up down, back forward, you just have other sections with this chip on all 3 axis.

[@carlosbarzottowirti1895]

***** never tought of that, but yeah, very likely to not work in space... we could ask an astronaut haha

[@SlenderSmurf]

there is no real "up" in space anyway

[@ketotrucker6262]

Brother, you are one extremely smart dude. Even though I don't have a clue of what you are talking about, I love your videos. Keep them coming and thank you for your time.

[@yagami0186]

I have been waiting for a channel like this! SO AWESOME!

[@flaplaya]

From steam engines and horses to... Well... Today. Insanity at the very least to out of this world at the most.

[@isuraerurevs6806]

question, wheres my bangbros subscription found on my smartfone? which chip is it

[@juliotironi7694]

Really appreciate your work man

[@vanmaren962]

So glad you are back!

[@instalemong6498]

No you aren't the engineer guy your the awesome guy,great videos :)

[@cafearga]

We have an inner ear to balance. Smart phones have the same thing. cool

[@macbuff81]

Great narration and method of explanation

[@boondibis]

I love these videos. I wish there were a million of them. As it is I will enjoy what is out there.

[@dzenan.m]

Nobody: KZbin algorithm: Here is a 7 year old video about smartphones

[@tasveergraphy8492]

Nobody: KZbin algorithm:

[@bulmeruk]

Incredibly informative, brilliantly eloquent. Thanks.

[@ss33988]

As always, thank you for your valued contribution to society Bill

[@leardvr]

You didn't just publish your phone number, did you?

[@engineerguyvideo]

+Nik Halaszi try it if you like.

[@leardvr]

+engineerguy it's getting late, maybe I'll give you a call tomorrow. :)

[@militaryiraqi5662]

ɷɷ I Have Watcheddd Thisss Movieee Leakedddd Versionn Hereeee : - t.co/e6QlTccFx6

[@phenomX4]

0:28 That's clearly a polarized capacitor and not a mems accelerometer.

[@marcan42]

This is correct. That's a tantalum capacitor, definitely not an accelerometer.

[@SLIPOwnage]

Finally a new vid from you, been waiting for quite a while, thanks.

[@pryansh_]

an amazing service to the new generation by you. thanks for it It was so helpful

[@bsmith8998]

I love these videos! Good work as usual !

[@jorgebassmaster22]

Your videos are so awesome, they make me proud of being an engineer myself!

[@Psychic9008]

one word to describe this video. "perfect". thank you very much!

[@IanGacek]

YES!!!!!!! A new video!!!! Thank you so much, Engineer Guy!

[@OzieCargile]

You explained that so well, I felt like a genius after watching it only one time. Seriously, thank you. I'm subscribing to your channel.

[@Ja5219]

Amazing video, thank you so much for doing them. Fascinating!!!

[@kacey797]

8 years and this is still informative lol

[@antor_khan]

Absolutely fascinating!

[@antonioms6094]

very well explained, thanks.

[@louis20833]

Loved this video! Will definitely be buying the book!

[@thebowlzack]

he answers questions that I didnt even know I had. Brilliant videos

[@manjitsingh1124]

Simply Brilliant !

[@TestingPyros]

That was quite neat! I've always wondered how etching of microchips (in general) worked! Thanks!

[@Moataz_Emam]

Excellent - thanks!

[@Fearnight]

Awesome video as usual.

[@Vyz3r]

Amazing video! It's very enlightening on how accelerometer works. It would be great if you also explain how gyroscopes in electronic devices/modern technology works.

[@isaacwn]

Well-explained video!

[@TheRefinedGentleman]

That manufacturing process is very impressive... I'm amazed someone was able to figure that out

[@Uber_237]

Thanks man, this was really interesting!

[@nathanp.barclay1518]

Could you do more? This is amazing!

[@nahuel3256]

What a master piece!

[@marksletters]

always excellent videos !!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you !

[@susy-baka]

Thanks for ur videos. Amazing

[@chrisdane97]

Awesome I liked the fiber optics explanation a lot.

[@CamiloSanchez1979]

Amazing...thank you so much your videos are so great!

[@Dccopus]

You win, I really want that book!

[@GWhizard]

This guy is awesome. I learn more from him in a quicksnap than from anybody else in a month.

[@AnTrinhmasoihuuan]

Very informatively, thank you.