A first electronic device controls a second electronic device to measure a position of the first electronic device. The first electronic device includes a motion sensor, a network interface circuit, a processor, and a memory. The motion sensor senses motion of the first electronic device. The network interface circuit communicates with the second electronic device. The memory stores program code that is executed by the processor to perform operations that include, responsive to determining that the first electronic device has a level of motion that satisfies a defined rule, transmitting a request for the second electronic device to measure a position of the first electronic device. The position of the first electronic device is sensed and then stored in the memory. An acknowledgement is received from the second electronic device indicating that it has stored sensor data that can be used to measure the position of the first electronic device.