It’s not just humans diving into the world of virtual reality; our four-legged lab companions are joining in too. Scientists have rolled out a new VR technology specifically for mice, making their experience both more realistic and surprisingly endearing.
Engineers at Cornell University introduced this innovation, which they aptly named MouseGoggles. During their tests, mice seemed to vividly interact with the simulated environments while wearing these special goggles. This advancement promises to streamline VR-based animal studies, providing researchers with a fresh tool to explore.
While the concept of mice in virtual reality might draw a chuckle, it brings genuine scientific benefits. VR can allow researchers to place mice in naturalistic settings that are entirely controlled. Previously, VR setups involved placing mice on treadmills amid a clutter of screens. These screens failed to encompass a mouse’s full field of view, and often the creatures hardly acknowledged the digital environments.
The Cornell team believes MouseGoggles mark a noteworthy improvement over existing VR setups for mice. Instead of devising a miniaturized version of a human VR headset, they crafted their system from cost-effective components—sourced from smartwatches and similar gadgets. Just like other systems, the mice use treadmills with MouseGoggles, their heads stabilized as they view visual content.
Lead scientist Matthew Isaacson mused about their approach in an interview with the Cornell Chronicle. “We embraced the hacker’s spirit by repurposing parts designed for other uses,” Isaacson explained. “Smartwatches provided the perfect display size for mouse VR. We were fortunate; everything we needed was readily available and budget-friendly.”
To prove their system’s effectiveness, the team exposed the mice to different stimuli, monitoring brain activity and behavior. Across various trials, they noted that the mice genuinely perceived and interacted with the VR as intended. In one experiment, a dark shape crept closer to mimic a predator, effectively testing the mice’s responses.
“In traditional VR setups with large screens, the mice showed no reaction,” Isaacson recounted. “But when using the goggles, almost every mouse jumped at the sight. Their strong startle reaction showed they truly felt as if a predator was lunging at them.”
These findings were prominently featured in the recent issue of Nature Methods. As researchers noted, developing more lifelike VR for mice could have far-reaching implications. Enhanced VR experiments could help map the brain functions in mice bred to simulate Alzheimer’s, particularly in areas linked to memory and spatial awareness. They might also refine basic research in testing potential treatments for neurological disorders.
Though other VR systems for mice exist, Isaacson and his colleagues proudly highlighted their inclusion of eye and pupil tracking—a first in the field. They’re also in the process of designing a lightweight, mobile VR setup adaptable for larger rodents such as rats and tree shrews. Future updates might even introduce taste and smell simulations, broadening the horizon of VR experiences for rodents.
