OpenEarable is the world's first fully open-source AI platform for ear-based sensing applications with
true wireless audio. Packed with an unprecedented array of high-precision sensors, OpenEarable redefines
what's possible in wearable tech. Designed for both development and research applications, OpenEarable
is modular, reconfigurable, and built for the future.
OpenEarable features two microphones capable of capturing both infrasound
and
ultrasound audio signals. One microphone is oriented inward toward the ear canal, while
the
other faces outward. By default, it supports audio streaming to a connected device at up
to
48 kHz and recording to the internal microSD card at up to 62.5 kHz.
OpenEarable includes a 3-axis accelerometer that also functions as a bone-conduction
microphone.
Positioned at the entrance of the ear canal, it can also capture ear canal deformations.
Recording is supported at up to 3.2 kHz for audio signals, making it ideal for
detecting voice signals transmitted via bone conduction.
The earpiece features a pulse oximeter with red, infrared, and green PPG sensors to
detect blood volume changes via light absorbance. This enables real-time heart rate and
blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring. By default, OpenEarable supports streaming PPG data at
up
to 400 Hz via BLE and recording at up to 800 Hz. The calculated metrics can be streamed
and recorded at up to 10 Hz.
The 9-axis inertial measurement unit consists of an accelerometer, a
gyroscope, and a magnetometer. Per default, OpenEarable allows streaming IMU data in
real-time at up to 120 Hz via BLE and recording to the internal SD card at up to 800 Hz.
OpenEarable is equipped with a factory calibrated, medical grade optical temperature
sensor that can measure skin
temperature with an high accuracy. The data can be streamed via BLE or recorded to the
internal SD card at
up to 64 Hz.
OpenEarable has an inward facing pressure sensor that makes it possible to
measure pressure changes in the sealed ear canal. It possible to get precise measuremnts
up to 120 Hz streamed via BLE and up to 200 Hz
recorded to the internal SD card.
The button on OpenEarable can be used to trigger events that are notified
via BLE.
More Cores. More Power.More Possibilities.
Nordic nRF5340 - APPLICATION AND NETWORK
Dual-Core Arm Cortex-M33
The nRF5340 is the core processing unit inside OpenEarable, providing a powerful and flexible
platform
for ear-based sensing.
This dual-core Bluetooth SoC integrates two Arm Cortex-M33 processors:
A high-performance core (up to 128 MHz) is designed for control flow and data processing.
A low-power core (up to 64 MHz) is optimized for background tasks and communication.
Analog Devices ADAU1860 - AUDIO PROCESSING
FastDSP Core & Tensilica HiFi 3z DSP Core
The ADAU1860 is a low-power digital signal processor (DSP) and audio codec used in OpenEarable,
playing
a crucial role in handling audio data efficiently. Manufactured by Analog Devices, the ADAU1860
integrates two DSP cores for real-time audio processing and high-fidelity signal acquisition. It
creates
the foundation for the development of future audio applications.
Designed for Expansion. Built for Innovation.
ARCHITECTURE
The OpenEarable device architecture is designed with a highly modular structure, enabling
seamless
integration of various sensors and components to adapt to different applications. The
system's flexible interfaces and expandable design ensure easy customization, supporting
diverse use cases.
DEBUGGING AND EXTENSION
OpenEarable is designed with modularity and expandability in mind, allowing researchers,
developers, and enthusiasts to push the boundaries of ear-based computing. Its open hardware
and software architecture enables debugging, sensor integration, and custom extensions.
Debugging: Using a breakout board, the 14-pin header connector on OpenEarable
can be placed onto a standard 2.54 mm header connector. This allows for programming
and debugging of the processing and DSP cores of OpenEarable.
Expansion: The 14-pin header connector offers 1.8V, 3.3V, GPIO,
I2C, PDM, SoftSerial, SoftSPI, and SWD. The 12-pin FPC connector
(BM46B-12DS) exposes 1.8V, 3.3V, GND, GPIO, I2C, PDM, Speaker_OUT,
SoftSerial, and SoftSPI.
Storage: On the bottom side, next to the USB-C port, a microSD card slot is
available for recording sensor data locally.
Open-Source. Free to Use.Always.
TOOLS, LIBRARIES & APPS
Firmware
OpenEarable runs on an open-source firmware based on ZephyrOS, a
real-time operating system (RTOS) with modular architecture and real-time capabilities.
Dashboard
The OpenEarable dashboard runs directly inside your browser. No
download
or installation is required as it works via WebBLE. It lets you control sensors of
OpenEarable.
Mobile App
A mobile Flutter app for Android and iOS let's you control
OpenEarable.
It offers the same features as the web dashboard and also a series of earable
apps
(e.g., a posture tracker).
Flutter Library
To develop custom tooling, the OpenEarable Flutter library provides
all
abstractions and simplifies iOS and Android development. This library is used by the
official app.
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:
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.
The OpenEarable starter kit includes everything that you need to get started with developing
ear-based sensing applications.
The OpenEarable starter kit includes:
OpenEarable (choose from: left and right, left, right)
18 × silicone eartips (6 × S, 6 × M, 6 × L)
2 × wing tip
1 × dual-end USB-C charging cable
1 × microSD card reader
1 × travel case (small white box)
1 × kit case (large black box)
1 × programming, debugging and extension adapter (compatible with J-Link)
Design Files
OpenEarable is completely open-source. You can freely change and adapt it to your needs.
The OpenEarable cheat sheet contains all the basic information you need to get started quickly.
Data Processing
You can either record your data via the OpenWearable app as CSV files, or on the on-board microSD card slot in the *.oe file format. For *.oe files, we provide a dedicated parsing script:
Frequently Asked Questions
Which smartphones support LEAudio?
Wireless audio streaming with OpenEarable requires an Android smartphone with LEAudio support (e.g. Google Pixel, >= Pixel 9 recommended). iOS currently does not support LEAudio.
Is it necessary to program OpenEarable before I can use it?
If you purchase the starter kit, OpenEarable comes pre-flashed with the latest firmware so you can
immediatly
use it with the dashboard, app and libraries. On a new OpenEarable, you will
have to
first flash the bootloader and firmware using a J-Link debugger. The firmware can be updated via
J-Link
and the 14-pin header connector.
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 class 2 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 nRF5340 supports FOTA
updates,
however, it is currently not supported by the OpenEarable.
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 dynamic driver speaker?
The frequency response of the microphone can be found in the datasheet on page
6
and 7. The dynamic driver speaker characterization is available here.
OpenEarable has been published as a scientific research paper. If you are
using OpenEarable in your work, please cite it as follows.
@article{roddiger2025openearable, title = {OpenEarable 2.0: Open-Source Earphone Platform for Physiological Ear Sensing}, author = {Röddiger, Tobias and Küttner, Michael and Lepold, Philipp and King, Tobias and Moschina, Dennis and Bagge, Oliver and Paradiso, Joseph A. and Clarke, Christopher and Beigl, Michael}, year = 2025, journal = {Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {1--33}, publisher={ACM New York, NY, USA} }
PREVIOUS AND OTHER VERSIONS
The resources of previous versions and adaptations of the OpenEarable are available below.
