DomeVR: Immersive virtual reality for primates and rodents.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Virtual Reality

Background:

• Immersive virtual reality (VR) offers a naturalistic yet controlled setting for studying cognitive processes.
• Designing and implementing VR behavioral tasks for research is often complex and challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an accessible and user-friendly immersive virtual reality (VR) environment for neuroscience research.
• To address the complexities of designing and implementing behavioral tasks in VR for scientific studies.

Main Methods:

• Developed DomeVR, an immersive VR environment using Unreal Engine 4 (UE4), a game engine with a visual scripting language.
• Integrated a logging and synchronization system to resolve timing uncertainties in UE4.
• Incorporated an interactive GUI for real-time subject observation and parameter adjustment.
• Included a dome projection system for full immersion in non-human subjects.

Main Results:

• DomeVR provides modular features that can be integrated into other UE4 projects.
• The system facilitates the creation of virtual environments using drag-and-drop elements for ease of use.
• Proof-of-principle data demonstrated DomeVR's functionality across human, macaque, and mouse subjects.

Conclusions:

• DomeVR effectively simplifies the creation and execution of VR-based neuroscience experiments.
• The platform enhances the accessibility of advanced VR technology for cognitive research across multiple species.
• DomeVR offers a flexible and modular solution for researchers seeking to implement immersive behavioral tasks.