Attending the IEEE Sensors 2025 Conference in Vancouver
I’m pleased to share that our paper “An Optical Measurement System for Open-Source Tracking of Jaw Motions” has been accepted to the IEEE Sensors Conference in October!
This work presents a comprehensive jaw tracking system that we’ve developed to support research in temporomandibular disorder rehabilitation and jaw exoskeleton development. The system addresses a key challenge in our field: the need for accessible, precise, customizable, and adaptable tools for measuring jaw kinematics in research.
Our optical motion capture-based approach offers several advantages over existing electromagnetic, ultrasonic, and electromechanical systems, particularly when it comes to integration with active jaw exoskeletons. The system achieved a precision of (182 ± 47) µm and (0.126 ± 0.034)°, making it suitable for research and development applications.
Key features of our system include:
- Complete open-source hardware and software pipeline
- Low-cost, biocompatible design using 3D-printable components
- Non-invasive setup with temporary dental adhesive attachment
- Comprehensive data processing from acquisition to visualization
- No need for custom dental casts or complex calibration procedures
What makes this work particularly valuable is its accessibility. By making the entire system open-source and available on GitHub, we hope to lower the barriers for other researchers working on jaw biomechanics, TMD rehabilitation, and exoskeleton development.
The system has already proven useful in our own jaw exoskeleton research, providing the ground truth data needed for simulation validation. We’re looking forward to seeing how other researchers adapt and extend this foundation for their own applications.
You can find the full paper details on my publications page once it’s published in the conference proceedings and on the project website.