Why does Apple Watch 9 count steps while driving off-road?

Yes, driving can result in false steps being recorded by the rapid action of moving your arm. Other activities are known to have a similar response such as knitting. There is no perfect algorithm for detecting the motion of arm movement and lack of leg movement. It’s not like you leg is directly connected to your wrist.

I’ve worn an Apple Watch since Series 1 was introduced in September 2016. Light much of the measurements being recorded, overtime and more features are introduced and existing features are constantly being updated and accuracy improved.

In the general scheme of things Apple Watch is very accurate. Microanalysis of data can lead to false conclusions. Over the course of 6 to 12 months the number of steps is extremely accurate.

Olkhon wrote:

I cannot see anything difficult to differ arm movements when body start moving more than 20-30km/h (hello to GPS) and the rising noise of engine (hello to decibel tracking). Otherwise this current step count is Useless, 15k steps day? What? 400% activity goal every day? “u s e l e s s”

You can certainly let Apple know what you'd like to see here:

Product Feedback - Apple

However, it's pretty clear that Apple isn't especially interested in steps as a fitness metric. I wouldn't be surprised if part of the reason wasn't because the technology available means it's not really very accurate. Apple focuses on exercise minutes, movement and standing.

If it’s not difficult you should write the algorithm. Just kidding a little, but Apple has 100’s of software engineers working on various aspects of motion algorithms constantly. If you think about it, the majority of measurements the Watch performs are in relationship to physical activity.

The goal is to be as accurate as possible. Measuring motion from just one location limits the amount of data and sensor available. The Watch does what it does and it’s worn by millions throughout the world. The vast majority have no issue with the accuracy or performance of the Watch. However, there will always be some activities and some individuals that the accuracy falls short. The link to provide feedback to Apple was provided above.

One area worth mentioning that affects accuracy of the watch across multiple measurements is your height, weight, age etc. Please review the accuracy of the information you entered.

Olkhon wrote:

I cannot see anything difficult to differ arm movements when body start moving more than 20-30km/h (hello to GPS) and the rising noise of engine (hello to decibel tracking). Otherwise this current step count is Useless, 15k steps day? What? 400% activity goal every day? “u s e l e s s”

So try using an actual pedometer and see if you get false steps while driving “off road” during such a bumpy ride. Report back to us please.

Jeff Donald wrote:

However, there will always be some activities and some individuals that the accuracy falls short. The link to provide feedback to Apple was provided above.

I don't have a big problem with knitting, perhaps because I don't knit very fast. However, I dropped a skein of yarn, and it got tangled. I think the hour or so I spent untangling it got me more steps than the whole rest of the day.