why getSpeed() always return 0 on android

Question

I need to get the speed and heading from the gps. However the only number i have from location.getSpeed() is 0 or sometimes not available. my code:

Answer 1

I also encountered this problem before, I hope this can help.

It returns 0 because your device cannot get a lock on the GPS, or cannot connect to the GPS.

I tried to get the speed using an older lenovo device and it returns 0 because it cannot lock on a gps.

I tried using a samsung galaxy nexus and it returned my speed(has a better GPS sensor).

The GPS sensor in your phone might not be good or you are in an area that has a weak GPS signal such as inside a house or building.

Answer 2

I basicaslly calculate the instantaneous speed and then use the setSpeed() method to add it in the location. Its pretty accurate because I compared it inside a vehicle where I could check the tachymeter.

private double calculateInstantaneousSpeed(Location location) {



    double insSpeed = 0;
    if (y1 == null && x1 <= -1) {
        //mark the location y1 at time x1
        y1 = location;
        x1 = duration.getDurationAsSeconds();


    } else {
         //mark the location y2 at time x2
        y2 = location;
        x2 = duration.getDurationAsSeconds();


        //calculate the slope of the curve (instantaneous speed)
        dy = y1.distanceTo(y2);
        dx = x2 - x1;

        insSpeed = dy / dx;

        y1 = y2;
        x1 = x2;

    }

    Singleton.getInstance().instantaneousSpeedSamples.add(insSpeed);
    //System.out.println("Instantaneous Speed m/s: "+insSpeed);
    return insSpeed;
}

Answer 3

Imbru's answer looks really good, but it is not very helpful if you are working with units.

Here's what I did to calculate the speed in meters per second (m/s).

object : LocationListener() {
    var previousLocation: Location? = null

    override fun onLocationChanged(location: Location) {
        val speed = if (location.hasSpeed()) {
            location.speed
        } else {
            previousLocation?.let { lastLocation ->
                // Convert milliseconds to seconds
                val elapsedTimeInSeconds = (location.time - lastLocation.time) / 1_000.
                val distanceInMeters = lastLocation.distanceTo(location)
                // Speed in m/s
                distanceInMeters / elapsedTimeInSeconds
            } ?: 0.0
        }
        previousLocation = location

        /* There you have it, a speed value in m/s */
        functionThatUsesSpeedInMeterPerSecond(speed)

        . . .

    }

    . . .

}

Answer 4

(1) I believe you can use the requestLocationUpdates() method and then create a LocationListener class with an onLocationChange method set to display getSpeed(). This is how i recently saw it done with Location.getLatitude and Location.getLongitude, so I believe you could just use getSpeed() the same way, correct?

(2) After just reading the eclipse description window, though, I see it says exactly what the previous person said: "if hasSpeed() is false, 0.0f is returned." But maybe this will help: http://www.ehow.com/how_5708473_convert-latitude-feet.html :)

Answer 5

Hey I too was suffering from the same but now I have got it solved ! Just multiply the value by 18/5 , it gives almost the accurate value.

speed=location.getSpeed()*18/5

Also specify the interval as 1000*2 and fastest interval as 1000*1 for more accuracy