Enhanced tracking system based on micro inertial measurements unit to track sensorimotor responses in pigeons

Investigating a pigeon's perception of the earth magnetic field can require 3D monitoring of its motor responses to various stimuli. Video analysis (VTA) involves tracking a 2D image, relying on software, but the resulting data can be noisy and limited to a single field of view (one rotational angle). Our research demonstrates the validity of a novel, low-cost system based upon motion-detection using micro Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) technology. The lightweight (<;10g) IMU unit, positioned on the pigeon's head, contains a sensor with tri-axial orthogonal accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers. The compact (20.3×12.7×3 mm) new system was programmed and calibrated, and outputs the three rotational angles (roll, pitch and yaw) simultaneously, eliminating any drift. Using existing VTA as a baseline for comparison, IMU technology was found to be able to track a pigeon's normal head movements with more precision and in 3 axes of movement.