虚拟现实在实验动物行为分析中的应用进展

Application of Virtual Reality in the Behavior Analysis of Laboratory Animal

虚拟现实(virtual reality,VR)是一种通过计算机进行场景模拟的新兴技术,近年来已经成为动物行为分析的可靠工具。动物行为对动物生存至关重要。动物行为分析为遗传学、生态学、神经科学、经济学以及机器人科学等领域的科技进步提供了有用信息。动物行为分析可分为刺激独立于动物对刺激的反应的开环研究,以及刺激根据动物的实时运动进行调整的闭环研究。本文首先梳理了动物行为分析的起源、概念和应用领域,回顾了传统技术条件下以视觉刺激为代表的动物行为开环研究的不足;然后以视觉、嗅觉、触觉、听觉刺激为例,分析了虚拟现实技术条件下的动物行为分析系统能够将精确的实验控制与复杂的实验动物行为相结合的可行性,完成了真实物理世界的实验方法无法实现的闭环研究;最后对虚拟现实发展为高级模拟及虚拟动物的前景进行了展望。

Virtual reality(VR)is an emerging technology for computer scene simulation that has become a reliable tool for animal behavior analysis in recent years.The behavior of an animal is crucial for its survival.Animal behavior analysis provides useful information for scientific progress in genetics,ecology,neuroscience,economics,and robotics.Animal behavior analysis can be divided into open-loop studies,in which the stimulus is independent of the animal's response to the stimulus,and closed-loop studies,in which the stimulus is adjusted according to the real-time movement of the animal.In this paper,we have discussed the origin,concept,and applications of animal behavior analysis,and reviewed the shortcomings of open-loop research on animal behavior represented by visual stimulation using traditional technology.Then taking visual,olfactory,tactile,and auditory stimulation as examples,we analyzed that the animal behavior analysis system using VR technology could combine precise experimental control with the complex behavior of laboratory animals,and complete the closed-loop research that could not be achieved using the experimental methods of the real physical world.The prospect of VR in developing superior simulations and virtual animals in the future was also discussed.