IMU: what it means.
An IMU typically combines accelerometers and gyroscopes. Accelerometers measure acceleration-related inputs, while gyroscopes provide angular-rate measurements. A navigation system uses these measurements within an estimation process. (Analog Devices: robotic localization)
Raw inertial readings are not a drift-free position report. Bias, calibration and accumulated estimation error matter. Analog Devices describes combining inertial and other sensing methods to improve robotic localization. (Analog Devices: robotic localization)
Put the definition to work.
Do not treat raw IMU output as an automatically accurate position. Calibration and the estimation method matter when combining it with camera or other sensor data. (Analog Devices: IMU documentation)
Questions to ask next.
Use these questions as a reading checklist, not as a device-selection recommendation. Exact manufacturer documentation takes priority over a general definition.
- Measured axes and output representation
- Calibration and timing
- Estimation method and other sensor inputs
For the broader explanation, explore the electronics inside robots. This page defines the term; the companion guide connects it to the rest of the system.
Common IMU questions.
Can an IMU replace every camera or navigation sensor?
Do not assume so. Different sensors supply different observations, and a complete system must be designed for the intended environment and accuracy requirements. (Analog Devices: robotic localization)