Virtual reality isn’t just capturing human imaginations—now, even our lab mice are stepping into VR worlds. At Cornell University, researchers have crafted an innovative piece of technology called MouseGoggles, designed to let mice experience VR in a surprisingly realistic—and undeniably cute—way.
The creators of MouseGoggles have tapped into some impressive tech to enhance laboratory studies involving VR with animals. Beneath the amusing idea lies serious potential: with VR, scientists can create naturalistic settings under controlled conditions for mice. Traditionally, the VR setups used in labs are awkward at best; they involve placing mice on treadmills surrounded by screens, which don’t fully cover their vision. Often, the mice barely respond to these setups, with reactions more hit-and-miss.
The MouseGoggles represent a significant leap from these clunky systems. Instead of reinventing the wheel, researchers took a thrifty approach, reusing small, affordable components from gadgets like smartwatches. The VR experience for the mice begins with them on a treadmill, their heads secured to the goggles, receiving varied visual inputs through these compact devices.
Dr. Matthew Isaacson, the leading scientist of this project and a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell, explained to the Cornell Chronicle how this project embodied a creative spirit. “It’s about taking parts meant for one thing and applying them in a whole new way,” he remarked. The smartwatch displays were a perfect fit for this project, and this adaptability meant they didn’t need to start from scratch, easily sourcing cost-effective parts.
To ensure MouseGoggles were up to the task, researchers exposed mice to different virtual scenarios, closely monitoring their brain activity and reactions. The results indicated that mice genuinely engaged with the VR environment. For example, when they simulated a predator with an approaching shadow, mice equipped with the goggles displayed startled responses—something not observed with traditional screen setups. “Every single mouse jumped at it with the goggles,” Isaacson noted, highlighting the realism of the experience.
This breakthrough has been detailed in a paper published in Nature Methods. The potential for realistic mouse VR goes beyond curiosity; it could revolutionize research. Imagine accurately mapping brain activity in mice with Alzheimer’s, focusing on areas related to memory or navigation, or using VR for foundational studies on treatments for neurological conditions.
Isaacson’s team isn’t alone in exploring VR for mice, but their system stands out by incorporating eye and pupil tracking, a first in the field. They’re also working on a lightweight, mobile version for larger rodents like rats or tree shrews and envisioning future upgrades like taste and smell simulation to enrich the virtual experience.
