Electricity Usage of Gyro-sensor Devices

[ramonegumpert]

Dear Experts

Good day to you all.

I am trying to find out does it take much electrical energy to keep self-balancing devices/machines balanced?

Here's what I know about such machines.

1. a gyro sensor is embedded in a tiny microchip-like device. This device tells the machine how to control the motor to keep it balanced.

2. maybe it also uses an accelerometer to get the job done.

3. the motor compensates or balances the person on the machine by speeding or slowing down.

My question is, how much electricity is typically used in this self-balancing? Is it substantial?

For example, the SBU unicycle or the solowheel.

Kindly could you please advise me a bit.

Thanks a lot.

Regards
Ramone

 

[ramonegumpert]

Hello Experts

Is the balancing action effected by the reverse spinning of the motor or slowing down / speeding up ( in the current direction of the vehicle) of the motor ?

So, in self-balancing, does the controller make the motor spin in reverse or just change its speed without reversing?

Thanks.

 

[SteamKing]

The amount of energy is going to depend on the size of the machine and the magnitude of the forces tending to upset it. If you want a more specific answer, then you will have to ask a more specific question.

 

[Bobbywhy]

Here is a popular product that uses gyrostabilisation:
http://segwaynz.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/segway-gyroscope-silicon-sensing-keeps-pt-in-balance/

Here is the company that makes the sensor(s):
single-axis silicon MEMS Gyroscopes
http://www.siliconsensing.com/products/mems-gyroscopes/

MEMS accelerometer sensors
http://www.siliconsensing.com/products/mems-accelerometers/

 

[ramonegumpert]

The amount of energy is going to depend on the size of the machine and the magnitude of the forces tending to upset it. If you want a more specific answer, then you will have to ask a more specific question.

Hello SteamKing

Yes, you are right. However, I wanted to know in general, how does the balancing work . For example, if to balance the rider, the motor is controlled to spin in a reverse direction (momentarily), then, clearly there is extra energy spent to accomplish this.

Thanks.