The article briefly describes the history of gyroscopy, its current state and potential development. It is an introductory article for the rest of works published in this issue of the journal. In general,
the series of articles presents an overall picture of modern gyroscopic sensors (gyroscopes and accelerometers), and provides an opportunity to assess their applications and prospects.

This article is based on the materials of a lecture given on the lecture day which took place before the conference of young scientists “Navigation and Motion Control”, and devoted to the current state and prospects of the development of inertial sensing elements. It briefly describes the physical principles forming the basis for rotary gyroscopes design, and presents the schematic diagrams and features of two types of gyroscopes in this class: electrostatic and floated ones. In addition, the material includes brief information about the people who made a decisive contribution to theoretical and engineering development of these devices.

The paper presents an analytical review of vibratory gyroscopes manufactured using various technologies: silicon microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, high-precision metal alloy machining, microglass blowing and quartz glass technologies. A mathematical model of an ideal vibratory gyro, similar to a classical Foucault pendulum, is presented. It is shown that three methods of output signal generation can be used when implementing MEMS vibratory gyros: amplitude-modulated, frequency, and integrating methods. A description of the structure of a compensation type MEMS gyro is provided. The Bryan effect in the excitation of standing waves in cavity and ring resonators is described. It is shown that integrating gyroscopes are based on hemispherical resonator gyros (HRG) with high-Q quartz resonators, while rate gyros are based on HRG with metal resonators. The designs of direct-measuring and compensation type HRG are described.

The paper considers the main directions in optical gyroscopy based on Sagnac effect. The operation principles of laser gyroscopes and methods to suppress the lock-in zone including alternating dithering and output linearization are described. Information on fiber-optic gyroscopes, their accuracy performance and design features is provided. Perspectives of constructing microoptical gyroscopes based on passive ring resonators are analyzed.

This review examines the fundamental physical principles of gyroscopic devices based on quantum optics: nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscopes and matter (de Broglie) waves gyroscopes, i.e., atomic interferometers based on laser-cooled atoms.

This article provides an overview and comparative analysis of accelerometer designs developed at Concern CSRI Elektropribor over the past decades. Six key technological trends are considered: floated accelerometers with pivot and jewel bearings, dry pendulum force-rebalanced accelerometers, accelerometers with contactless (magnetic and electrostatic) suspension, cryogenic and micromechanical (MEMS) accelerometers. The operating principles, design features, accuracy characteristics, and fields of application are described for each type. The evolution of approaches to reducing the impact of mechanical friction is demonstrated, from hydrostatic unloading to complete elimination of mechanical contact. Special attention is given to promising projects: cryogenic and electrostatic accelerometers for space research experiments, as well as modern micromechanical (MEMS) sensors for navigation and consumer electronics. A comparison of domestic and foreign counterparts is presented. The analysis has led to the conclusion on the rational integration of different types of accelerometers, depending on the required accuracy, operating conditions, and cost.