
ELI5 Activity Trackers - how do they detect deep sleep?
From ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about - in a mini podcast by ELI5 Explain Like I'm Five Podcast
January 23, 2026 · 8 min · Season 1
About this episode
This episode explains how activity trackers detect deep sleep and differentiate between various movements.
What are the creative ways people fool their FitBit? How does my activity tracker differentiate between steps and my tapping to a rhythm? Does it use GPS to calibrate? How does it know what stage of sleep I'm in? ... We explain like i'm five! Help more people fund us by leaving a rating on iTunes. Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community, and specifically the following reddit users whose questions and responses formed the basis of this conversation: failtuna, fieldpeter, devilishgainz, srslylovesgames & groundhogcakeday To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
People in this episode
Host: ELI5 Explain Like I'm Five Podcast
Topics covered
- activity trackers
- deep sleep
- FitBit
- sleep stages
- GPS calibration
- tapping rhythm
Keywords
- activity tracker
- deep sleep
- FitBit
- sleep stages
- GPS
- tapping
- rhythm
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