# Measuring horizontal Speed with Arduino

**URL:** <https://community.sparkfun.com/t/measuring-horizontal-speed-with-arduino/35174>\
**Category:** Arduino\
**Created:** [January 18, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/measuring-horizontal-speed-with-arduino/35174 "2018-01-18T17:39:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ajmurray33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@ajmurray33](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/ajmurray33)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/measuring-horizontal-speed-with-arduino/35174/1 "2018-01-18T17:39:35Z")

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Hi there,

I am working on a project to produce a wearable device consisting of an arduino and relevant sensors that can record/output a reading about a humans speed over a certain distance. The device should be strapped securely to the user and the speed will be measured from point a to point b.

My question is what kinds of sensors would be required for such a reading to be obtained? Could it be done with an accelerometer? Or would i need something like an IMU? Is this at all possible?

Im not looking for any specific reading, ie velocity or acceleration, I would settle for anything that was possible.

Any feedback or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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**Author:** ![Valen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/9dc877/32.png) [@Valen](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/Valen)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 1:22pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/measuring-horizontal-speed-with-arduino/35174/2 "2018-01-25T13:22:37Z")

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If you are measuring between fixed points along a track, why does it need to be attached to the runner and be wireless? What’s wrong with optical detection (focused light beam on a light sensitive detector) of a person crossing a start and finish line? (and measure the time in between)