Scientists Develop Miniature VR Headsets for Mice

Virtual reality isn’t just for humans anymore. This cutting-edge technology is now extending its reach to the animal kingdom, providing some exciting new opportunities for research. Scientists have crafted an innovative setup that lets mice experience the wonders of VR in a whole new way, and it’s both realistic and endearing to watch.

At the forefront of this development is Cornell University, where researchers have ingeniously introduced “MouseGoggles.” During their experiments, these small creatures were seen engaging with virtual environments as they donned these specialized goggles. The aim? To simplify and enhance the process of conducting VR-related animal studies.

Despite how amusing the idea of fitting mice with VR gear might sound, there’s a significant source of value in it. Virtual reality presents researchers with the potential to replicate natural settings for mice under highly controlled conditions. The current methods, however, are cumbersome. Often, the rodents are placed on a treadmill amongst bulky computer or projection screens, which rarely cover their full field of vision, resulting in delayed or absent reactions to the virtual stimuli.

This is where MouseGoggles make a difference. Instead of building a device akin to a mini-Oculus Rift from the ground up, the Cornell team cleverly repurposed cost-effective components from devices like smartwatches. For the experiment, mice were again placed on a treadmill, their heads fixed in place with the MouseGoggles which fed them visual inputs.

Speaking to the Cornell Chronicle, Matthew Isaacson, the lead scientist and a postdoctoral scholar at Cornell, emphasized the innovative approach. “The idea was to take what was already out there, like smartwatch displays, and adapt them for our use,” he explained. “We were fortunate to find parts that fit our needs perfectly without having to invent something new from scratch.”

To test the system, the team exposed mice to various virtual stimuli, closely monitoring their brain patterns and behaviors. Remarkably, the mice responded to the VR as intended. For example, when they perceived a looming dark shadow—a stand-in for a predator—they reacted with clear startle responses, a behavior not observed with previous setups. Isaacson noted, “In traditional VR with large screens, they wouldn’t bat an eye. But with the goggles, each mouse instinctively reacted, leaping in surprise as if genuinely threatened.”

Earlier this October, these findings were highlighted in the journal Nature Methods. As more realistic VR experiences are developed for mice, researchers anticipate a wealth of benefits. Such advancements could significantly enhance the study of neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s, particularly in areas associated with memory and navigation. This would also bolster fundamental research endeavors exploring treatment possibilities for brain disorders.

While Isaacson’s team isn’t alone in crafting VR systems for mice, they boast a pioneering approach by including eye and pupil tracking. They’re also actively working on a more portable VR system, destined for larger rodents such as rats or tree shrews, and are eager to push the envelope further by exploring ways to simulate taste and smell in future models.