Scientists Develop Tiny VR Headset for Enhanced Mouse Research

Researchers at Cornell University have crafted an innovative gadget called ‘MouseGoggles,’ a tiny VR headset equipped with eye-tracking capabilities for mice. This cutting-edge device is being utilized to delve deep into the intricate behaviors of mice during neural recordings.

Traditional VR technology for small animals has always faced challenges such as bulkiness, limited immersiveness, and the absence of sophisticated features like eye-tracking. With the advancement of MouseGoggles, detailed in a recently published study, Cornell scientists aimed to unlock new insights into the mouse brain, which serves as a premier model for behavioral and neurological research.

In validating their study, the researchers recorded neural activity from the visual cortex, confirming that the visual images were displayed vividly and precisely. The VR headset successfully simulated an immersive experience, which was evidenced by hippocampal recordings, reward-based learning trials, and the mice’s fear responses to virtual looming objects.

The project was spearheaded by Chris Schaffer, a professor of biomedical engineering at Cornell Engineering, alongside Ian Ellwood, an assistant professor in neurobiology and behavior in the College of Arts and Sciences. The team envisions that their work will encourage wider implementation of VR approaches within the field of neuroscience research.

“It’s quite extraordinary when you’re crafting tools that not only surpass current technology in experimental power but are also simpler and more affordable to produce,” postdoctoral researcher Matthew Isaacson shared with the Cornell Chronicle. “This advancement presents greater experimental capability for neuroscience, and it’s crafted in such a way that makes it accessible to a wider range of research labs.”

Interestingly, MouseGoggles were assembled using inexpensive, readily available components, featuring smartwatch displays and miniature lenses to maintain a compact form. The mini VR headset leverages commonly used tools like the Godot game engine and a Raspberry Pi 4, which the team ingeniously fitted with a split-screen display driver.

Looking ahead, the team’s innovation could pave the way for creating lightweight, standalone headsets suitable for larger rodents, such as tree shrews and rats. Presently, MouseGoggles operate as a fixed-head system, utilizing a ball-shaped treadmill to simulate motion. The researchers are eager to incorporate sensory elements like taste and smell to enhance the immersive quality of the VR setup.

“I believe full-sensory virtual reality for mice is where we’re headed, especially for experiments trying to decipher complex behaviors,” Schaffer shared with the Cornell Chronicle. “It’s about understanding how mice integrate sensory information, weigh opportunities against internal desires like the need for rest and food, and then make decisions on how to act.”