METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GUIDING MOVEMENT OF A FREELY ROAMING ANIMAL THROUGH BRAIN STIMULATION

摘要

Movement of a freely roaming animal (190), such as a rat, is guided using electric stimulation of the animal's brain. Cues are provided to the animal to move forward by stimulating a reward center of the brain. Cues are provided to the animal to change its direction by stimulating portions of the animal's brain that control right and left movements, such as a cortical representation of whiskers of the animal. Multi-channel, remotely controlled equipment (140, 145, 150, 350) may be carried by the animal to enable independent energizing of electrodes attached to different regions of the animal's brain. A transmitter carried by the animal may report back data to allow monitoring. A component may be carried by the animal for carrying out a mission, such as for search and rescue or surveillance. Groups of animals may be controlled in real-time by coordinating their movements and tracking their locations.