Scientists Develop Miniature VR Goggles for Mice

It looks like virtual reality isn’t just capturing human interest — it’s making waves in the animal research world too. Recently, scientists unveiled a groundbreaking VR technology designed specifically for mice, bringing a level of cuteness that’s hard to resist. The innovative system, developed by a team at Cornell University, is cleverly called MouseGoggles. When equipped with these goggles, the mice responded visibly to virtual stimuli, paving the way for more effective animal studies in VR environments.

The concept of mice experiencing VR might draw a chuckle, but it’s more than just amusing. By harnessing virtual reality, researchers aim to recreate natural habitats for mice while maintaining precise control over the conditions. Currently, the typical setup involves mice on treadmills, surrounded by computer or projection screens. These setups are quite cumbersome and often fall short in fully immersing the mice in the VR environment, leading to delayed or non-existent reactions from the little rodents.

Enter MouseGoggles — a significant upgrade over traditional setups — according to the Cornell researchers. Rather than starting from scratch to engineer a mini VR headset, the team utilized affordable components from devices like smartwatches. Similar to existing VR systems, mice wear these goggles while on a treadmill, and their heads are stabilized to deliver consistent visual stimuli.

Matthew Isaacson, leading the research as a postdoctoral scientist at Cornell, shared insights with the university’s news outlet, the Cornell Chronicle. “Our approach leaned heavily on a tinkerer’s mindset, repurposing existing parts to fit our needs,” Isaacson explained. They struck gold with smartwatch displays, which suited the size needs perfectly, negating the necessity to custom-make costly parts.

To validate their innovation, the team ran tests exposing mice to various simulated environments while monitoring both their neural activity and behavior. The results were promising — unlike traditional setups where mice barely reacted, those with MouseGoggles had strong responses. In one test simulating an approaching predator, the mice exhibited a pronounced startle, indicating they perceived it as a genuine threat.

These fascinating findings were shared in an article published recently in Nature Methods. The researchers believe their VR advancements could be a game-changer in fields such as neuroscience. For example, it could enhance our understanding of the brain in mice models with Alzheimer’s, particularly focusing on spatial navigation and memory areas, and could also be pivotal in testing potential treatments for neurological disorders.

Isaacson and his team aren’t the only ones innovating in this space. However, they proudly note that their system is leading the way by integrating eye and pupil tracking into the VR setup. Looking ahead, they’re working on a portable VR setup designed for bigger rodents like rats or tree shrews, and are keen to include features such as taste and smell simulation in future versions.