A Rat-Robot Control System Based on Optogenetics

We developed a rat-robot system based on optogenetic techniques for the precise freezing behavior. Rat-robots were built up by optogenetic modulation at the dlPAG of rat brains. We conducted track navigation for the rat-robots and found they were able to exhibit precise freezing at given positions with high spatiotemporal accuracy. Different types of optical stimulation were compared and their influence on the rat-robots was investigated. Furthermore we recorded the neural electrical activity in real time during the optical stimulation. The system could be used to explore the mechanism of freezing behaviors and to build up a more integrated rat-robot navigation system based on optical modulations.