{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,10]],"date-time":"2026-10-10T04:49:18Z","timestamp":1791607758824,"version":"4.3.4"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"19","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]],"date-time":"2026-09-30T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1790726400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sensors"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: Computer-assisted posturography is utilized to quantify human postural control, yet existing dedicated systems frequently present physical constraints, such as limited sensing surfaces and rigid hardware barriers. In this study, a methodological framework is presented and a structural arrangement (OpenBalance) is designed to implement balance assessment accommodating a wider anthropometric range through zone-based foot placement using a decentralized load cell array, with preliminary implementation details provided in a repository. Methods: The configuration comprises an array of 16 discrete uniaxial vertical-force load cells embedded within four mechanically decoupled sub-platforms to minimize mechanical cross-talk. Biomechanical moment equations were implemented in a custom Python pipeline to compute a localized Center of Pressure (COP) for each sub-platform independently. A vector-based data fusion algorithm maps these local coordinates into a unified global coordinate system. The system evaluation incorporated baseline signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) analysis, mechanical crosstalk testing, and digital low-pass filtering. Results: A proof-of-concept evaluation using empirical data confirmed that the cascading coordinate model produces a continuous global COP trajectory and quadrant-specific load distributions. The platform dimensions (355 \u00d7 460 mm) and sensor topography geometrically accommodate natural external foot rotation (incorporating a 10\u00b0 toe-out angle projection) and foot lengths corresponding to EU shoe sizes up to 55. Mechanical crosstalk between adjacent sub-platforms remained minimal (&lt;1% of applied load). Conclusions: The OpenBalance framework confirms the technical feasibility of deriving a continuous global COP from a decentralized array of distributed load cells. While baseline component specifications and static verifications are established, comprehensive dynamic cross-validation against reference standards remains a necessary next step for the future development of open hardware that can be produced using 3D printing.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/s26196210","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]],"date-time":"2026-09-30T13:01:19Z","timestamp":1790773279000},"page":"6210","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Methodological Framework for Multi-Cell Posturography Enabling Unconstrained Foot Placement and Open-Source Balance Assessment"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"26","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1960-5101","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Otto","family":"Hofst\u00e4tter","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Engineering, Mathematics and Science Education, Mid Sweden University, SE-831 25 \u00d6stersund, Sweden"},{"name":"Life Science Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, A-1200 Vienna, Austria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Thomas","family":"Bochdansky","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Life Science Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, A-1200 Vienna, Austria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Anton","family":"Sabo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Life Science Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, A-1200 Vienna, Austria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mikael","family":"B\u00e4ckstr\u00f6m","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Engineering, Mathematics and Science Education, Mid Sweden University, SE-831 25 \u00d6stersund, Sweden"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"Vierordt, C. 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