Arduino Project

Detect Fall

Course Introduction

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use the MPU6050 sensor with the Arduino to build a simple tilt detection system.

When the device is tilted beyond a set threshold, an LED lights up and a buzzer sounds, providing a quick visual and audio alert.

Note

If this is your first time working with an Arduino project, we recommend downloading and reviewing the basic materials first.

1.1 Install Arduino IDE(Important)
1.2 Introduction of Arduino IDE

Required Components

In this project, we need the following components:

SN

COMPONENT INTRODUCTION

QUANTITY

PURCHASE LINK

1

Arduino UNO R4 Minima/Arduino UNO R4 WIFI

1

BUY

2

USB Type-C cable

1

×

3

Breadboard

1

BUY

4

Wires

Several

BUY

5

220Ω resistor

1

BUY

6

LED

1

BUY

7

MPU6050 Module

1

BUY

8

Active Buzzer

1

×

Wiring

detect_falling_bb.webp__PID:891d7774-2ae5-4848-8c58-6255c7cb0a9e

Common Connections:

LED
Connect the LED anode to a 1kΩ resistor then to the negative power bus on the breadboard, and the LED cathode to 8 on the Arduino.

MPU6050
SDA: Connect to A4 on the Arduino.
SCL: Connect to A5 on the Arduino.
GND: Connect to breadboard’s negative power bus.
VCC: Connect to breadboard’s red power bus.

Active Buzzer
Connect to breadboard’s negative power bus. 
Connect to 9 on the Arduino.

Writing the Code

Note
You can copy this code into the Arduino IDE.
To install the library, use the Arduino Library Manager and search for MPU6050 and install it.
Don’t forget to select the board(Arduino UNO R3) and the correct port before clicking the Upload button.


#include 
#include 

MPU6050 mpu;

const int LED_PIN = 8;
const int BUZZER_PIN = 9;

// Threshold angle (adjustable)
const float TILT_THRESHOLD = 45.0;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Wire.begin();
  mpu.initialize();

  if (!mpu.testConnection()) {
    Serial.println("MPU6050 connection failed!");
    while (1);
  }

  pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);

  Serial.println("Tilt detection system ready!");
}

void loop() {
  // Get acceleration data
  int16_t ax, ay, az;
  mpu.getAcceleration(&ax, &ay, &az);

  // Convert acceleration to angles (simple approximation)
  float angleX = atan2(ay, az) * 180 / PI;
  float angleY = atan2(ax, az) * 180 / PI;

  Serial.print("AngleX: "); Serial.print(angleX);
  Serial.print("  AngleY: "); Serial.println(angleY);

  // Check tilt
  if (abs(angleX) > TILT_THRESHOLD || abs(angleY) > TILT_THRESHOLD) {
    digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, HIGH);
  } else {
    digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);
    digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, LOW);
  }

  delay(200);
}