Autonomous cage-side system for remote training of non-human primates

Area of Science:

• Primate research
• Animal behavior
• Translational medicine

Background:

• Training non-human primates (NHPs) for research is time-consuming.
• Existing cage-side training systems lack remote capabilities and are often costly or cumbersome.
• There is a need for efficient, accessible training solutions for NHPs in translational studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an Autonomous Cage-side Training System (ACTS) for non-human primates.
• To create a wireless, low-cost, portable system for remote monitoring and task modification.
• To enhance the efficiency of NHP training for translational medical experimentation.

Main Methods:

• ACTS utilizes a touchscreen tablet, speaker, and a modified fish feeder for rewards, all connected wirelessly to a laptop.
• The system allows for remote operation and task adjustments via a wireless router.
• The system was tested on two macaques in their home cages.

Main Results:

• ACTS successfully enabled wireless training of macaques in their home cages.
• Remote control was effective up to 90m, through multiple walls and floors.
• Trained animals generalized the task to a traditional experimental setup.

Conclusions:

• ACTS provides a low-cost, wireless, and remotely controllable solution for cage-side NHP training.
• The system's ease of implementation lowers barriers for researchers and caregivers.
• ACTS can significantly improve NHP preparation for translational medical research.