Do you want to make your apps smarter? In MIT App Inventor, we can use sensors to make our apps respond to touch, movement, light, and even sound! In this blog, we will learn about different sensor components and how to use them in a simple way. Let’s get started!
What are Sensors?
Sensors are like the senses of a smartphone. Just like how we use our eyes to see and ears to hear, a smartphone uses sensors to detect movement, light, sound, and more.
Types of Sensor Components in AppInventor
AppInventor provides different sensor components. Let’s look at each one and learn how to use them.
Accelerometer Sensor – Shake to Change Color
The Accelerometer Sensor detects when the phone moves or shakes. We can use it to change the screen color when we shake the phone.
Steps:
Drag an AccelerometerSensor from the Sensors section in App Inventor.
Add a Canvas and set its background color.
In the blocks section, use the AccelerometerSensor.Shaking block.
Change the background color of the canvas when the phone shakes.
Light Sensor – Dark Mode Activation
The Light Sensor checks how bright the room is. Let’s create an app that switches to dark mode when it’s dark!
Steps:
Add a Light Sensor.
Add a Screen and change its background color.
If the light level is low, change the screen to dark mode.
Proximity Sensor – Hand Wave Magic
The Proximity Sensor detects objects near the phone. Let’s create a magic trick where waving your hand changes the text.
Steps:
Add a Proximity Sensor.
Add a Label for the message.
When something comes close, change the text.
Gyroscope Sensor – Tilt to Move a Ball
The Gyroscope Sensor detects tilting. Let’s make a ball move when we tilt the phone!
Steps:
Add a Gyroscope Sensor.
Add a Ball on a Canvas.
Move the ball based on the phone’s tilt.
GPS Sensor – Show Your Location
The Location Sensor (GPS) gets your location. Let’s make an app that shows your current location.
Steps:
Add a Location Sensor.
Add Labels for latitude and longitude.
When the location updates, display it.
Thermometer Sensor – Check the Temperature
The Thermometer Sensor measures the temperature around the device. Let’s create an app that displays the temperature.
Steps:
Add a Thermometer Sensor.
Add a Label to display the temperature.
When the temperature changes, update the label.
Clock Sensor – Show the System Time
The Clock Sensor helps track time and perform actions at specific intervals. Let’s create an app that displays the system time.
Steps:
Add a Clock component.
Add a Label to show the time.
Update the time every second using the Clock.Timer event.
Sensors make your apps fun and interactive! Try using these in your App Inventor projects. You can create games, tools, and cool experiments! What will you build next?