# Position sensor questions **URL:** \ **Category:** General Guidance\ **Created:** [October 14, 2024, 1:36pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/position-sensor-questions/1311175 "2024-10-14T13:36:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![codeknight999](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/codeknight999/32/1108364_2.png) [@codeknight999](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/codeknight999)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 1:36pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/position-sensor-questions/1311175/1 "2024-10-14T13:36:43Z")
Hello all, I am doing some preliminary research on a robot I plan to make. For this robot I will need some sort of 3 dimensional position sensors that can give data to an Arduino controller. The end goal is to have a bunch of sensors you can wear as a suit that tracks your movement, and then the robot will move based on your movements. I looked at some GPS modules like the NEO 6M but they didn’t seem practical for my needs. Thanks for any help you can give! ---
**Author:** ![anon94801460](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@anon94801460](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/anon94801460)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 2:41pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/position-sensor-questions/1311175/2 "2024-10-14T14:41:16Z")
Very challenging project! Some research on "human body motion tracking" will reveal that: 1. IR LEDs on the suit, with IR cameras to track the body motions is a popular and accurate approach. 2. For hand motions, gloves with stretch sensors can be used to estimate finger and flex motion. 3. Joint angles can be estimated using accelerometers as inclinometers. ---
**Author:** ![codeknight999](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/codeknight999/32/1108364_2.png) [@codeknight999](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/codeknight999)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/position-sensor-questions/1311175/3 "2024-10-14T14:45:51Z")
Hi and thanks @anon94801460 ! I need this to be mobile, or else I would already be using cameras. I don't need too much control over the hands so I am using tilt ball switches on gloves for now. Thanks for telling me about the accelerometers and inclinometers, I will do more resarch. ---
**Author:** ![xfpd](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/xfpd/32/1120236_2.png) [@xfpd](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/xfpd)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 3:28pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/position-sensor-questions/1311175/4 "2024-10-14T15:28:41Z")
> [@codeknight999](#): > > tilt ball switches Ball tilt switches only indicate "a movement has occurred"... it does not sense an angle or a rate of change. Perhaps "tilt" predates my memory, but to me, the word "tilt" comes from last century's pinball games when "bumping" could enhance rebound action. Over use of "bumping" would cause the "tilt" switch to close, illuminate the "tilt" light, and your turn (and points) were lost. ---
**Author:** ![codeknight999](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/codeknight999/32/1108364_2.png) [@codeknight999](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/codeknight999)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 3:35pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/position-sensor-questions/1311175/5 "2024-10-14T15:35:03Z")
@xfpd The reason I am using tilt ball sensors is because I don't need that articulated movement, I need closed fist and open fist. Thats all. ---
**Author:** ![xfpd](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/xfpd/32/1120236_2.png) [@xfpd](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/xfpd)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 3:37pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/position-sensor-questions/1311175/6 "2024-10-14T15:37:09Z")
The tilt ball switch will see everything as "movement." Use a flex sensor that increases or decreases resistance with abduction and adduction. ---
**Author:** ![codeknight999](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/codeknight999/32/1108364_2.png) [@codeknight999](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/codeknight999)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/position-sensor-questions/1311175/7 "2024-10-14T15:39:22Z")
Okay, I now see what you mean. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/system/32/1140315_2.png) [@system](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/system)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/position-sensor-questions/1311175/8 "2025-04-12T15:40:04Z")
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