Gyroskope

A gyroscope, known in German as Gyroskop (singular) or Gyroskope (plural), is a device that uses the conservation of angular momentum to measure or maintain orientation. It typically contains a wheel or disk that spins rapidly about an axis. When the orientation of the spin axis is altered, the rotor’s angular momentum resists the change, causing the apparatus to respond with a characteristic precession. This tendency to resist changes in orientation and to produce a predictable torque under forcing conditions makes gyroscopes useful as reference frames and sensors.

There are several families of gyroscopes. Mechanical gyroscopes use a spinning rotor mounted in gimbals to allow free orientation in space. Optical gyroscopes detect rotation through light: ring laser gyroscopes and fiber optic gyroscopes rely on the Sagnac effect, observing phase shifts or interference when the device is rotated. MEMS gyroscopes employ tiny vibrating structures on a micro scale to sense angular velocity, enabling inexpensive, compact sensors for consumer electronics and robotics.

Applications span navigation, stabilization, and attitude control. In aviation, maritime, and spacecraft systems, gyroscopes contribute to inertial navigation and stabilizers. They are also central to inertial measurement units (IMUs) used in drones, autonomous vehicles, smartphones, and virtual reality devices, where precise orientation data enhances control and user experience.

Limitations include drift, scale-factor errors, and sensitivity to temperature and vibration. Modern systems often combine gyroscopes with accelerometers and other sensors to compute reliable orientation through sensor fusion, maintaining accuracy over time despite individual sensor biases.