An optical wireless rotary joint can include a first optical device and a second optical device. The first optical device can be coupled to a rotatable component for rotating with the rotatable component. The second optical device can be physically separated from the first optical device. The second optical device can be coupled to a stationary component for communicating data with the first optical device using an optical signal. The first optical device or the second optical device can include an optical transmitter for transmitting the optical signal based on the data. The other of the first optical device or the second optical device can include an optical receiver for generating a new signal in response to detecting the optical signal transmitted by the optical transmitter.