OpenEarable
The world's first open-source development platform for ear-based sensing applications.
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Openness
Extensibility
Easy-to-Use
OpenEarable is licensed under the MIT
license!
OpenEarable is a new, open-source, Arduino-based platform for ear-based sensing applications. It is
equipped with a series of sensors and actuators: a 9-axis inertial measurement unit, an ear canal
pressure and temperature sensor, an inward facing ultrasound microphone as well as a speaker, a push
button, and a controllable RGB LED. OpenEarable offers a general-purpose, open sensing platform for
earable research and development.
DEVELOPED BY
SUPPORTERS AND USERS
Sensors
The sensors inside OpenEarable create sensing opportunities for cutting-edge earable applications. Related research suggests that with the sensors inside OpenEarable it may be possible to detect 30+ phenomena.OpenEarable comes equipped with an ear canal facing microphone that is
capable
of capturing ultrasound audio signals. Per default, up to 62.5 kHz are supported to be
recorded on the internal microSD card of OpenEarable.
Potential Applications
Inside the main body behind the ear sits a 9-axis inertial measurement
unit
consisting of an accelerometer, a gyroscope and a magnetometer. Per default, OpenEarable
allows streaming IMU data in real-time at up to 50 Hz via BLE.
Potential Applications
OpenEarable has an inward facing pressure sensor that makes it possible to
measure pressure changes in the sealed ear canal. Using the foam eartip of OpenEarable,
it
is possible to get precise measuremnts up to 30Hz streamed via BLE.
Potential Applications
Actuators
The actuators in OpenEarable are used to play audio and give visual feedback. In addition, a button allow user input.Speaker
The speaker inside OpenEarable supports playing audio files from the
internal
microSD card. It is also possible to generate constant frequency tones directly on the
device or to trigger eight different jingles via BLE.
RGB LED
OpenEarable has an RGB color LED in the main enclosure behind the ear. The
color can be freely configured via BLE.
Button and Switch
The button on OpenEarable can be used to trigger events that are notified
via
BLE. The switch is used to turn on/off the device.
Tools, Libraries & Apps
Apps
OpenEarable is not just a wearable device; it's a versatile platform that brings a myriad of applications. That's why we have developed example applications showcasing the potential of OpenEarable:- Recorder: Capture and analyze data from your OpenEarable device.
- Posture Tracker: Get real-time feedback and improve your posture.
- Jump Height Test: Measure your jump height with precision.
- Jump Rope Counter: Accurately count your rope skips during workouts.
- Powernapping: Monitor the quality of your rest with automatic sleep detection.
- Tightness Meter: Enhance your rhythm skills with targeted practice.
Resources
OpenEarable is available as a fully-assembled starter
kit that includes everything you need to get started. You can also build one on your own using
our open-source files.
Developer Starter Kit
The OpenEarable starter kit includes everything that you need to get started with developing ear-based sensing applications. The OpenEarable starter kit includes:- 1 × OpenEarable (left or right)
- 2 × eartip foam (M, L)
- 3 × eartip silicone (S, M, L)
- 1 × microSD card reader
- 1 × microUSB cable
Customize and Extend
The OpenEarabe hardware is designed to be easily customizable and extensible. OpenEarable can be extended as follows:- Custom earpiece (8-pin connector): Custom earpieces can be connected via an JST 08SR-3S plug (supported pins: +3V3, GND, I2C, PDM microphone, speaker DAC, GPIO, SoftwareSerial).
- General purpose (4-pin connector): Behind the ear it is possible to connect a JST 04SR-3S plug (supported pins: +3V3, GND, I2C, GPIO, SoftwareSerial).
OpenEarable v1.3
OpenEarable is completely open-source. You can freely change and adapt it to your needs.
OpenEarable v1.0
This version is
deprecated. Please use v1.3 which has better wearability and
higher
flexiblity.
This version has been published with the original OpenEarable paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it necessary to program OpenEarable before I can use it?If you get the starter kit, OpenEarable comes pre-flashed with the latest firmware so you can immediatly use it with the dashboard, app and libraries. If you are building your own OpenEarable, you will have to first flash the bootloader using a J-Link debugger and then upload the latest firmware via Arduino.
How long does the battery last and how long does it charge?
The exact battery life will depend on your usage patterns, such as the frequency of data streaming and audio playback. Charging the battery to full capacity takes about 45 mins.
Are there any IP ratings for OpenEarable (e.g., water or dust resistance)?
OpenEarable does not have an IP rating. It's recommended to avoid exposure to water and dust to prevent damage to the electronic components.
What is the range of BLE connectivity for OpenEarable?
The BLE range for OpenEarable is consistent with standard BLE devices, which is typically up to 10 meters (33 feet) without obstructions.
How customizable is the firmware, and can it be updated wirelessly?
Our firmware is highly customizable and open source (Github repository). Firmware updates can be conducted through a wired connection. In principle, the nRF52840 supports FOTA updates, however, it is currently not supported by the OpenEarable bootloader.
I am having issues with connecting my OpenEarable. What can I do?
Download a BLE Scanner for iOS or Android (e.g., nRF Connect for Mobile) and make sure you can find your OpenEarable. If you can find it, there is an issue with the device that you are using to connect to OpenEarable. Are you using the latest Chrome version? Does the OpenEarable app have the required permissions? Is the Bluetooth driver of your device updated?
Why can I not find any recordings on my microSD card?
In order to be compatible with OpenEarable the microSD card needs to be formatted as exFAT. Also make sure to have a sufficiently fast SD card (recommended microSD card: SandDisk class 10 and class A30).
What is the frequency response of OpenEarable's microphone and speaker?
The frequency response of the microphone can be found in the datasheet on page 6 and 7. The speaker was characterized in a baffle mount setup using an NTi XL2 Analyzer and pink noise (view result).