pyControl GridMaze

Founding developer Thomas Akam

$8,990.00 USD

Founding developer Thomas Akam

Thomas Akam is a neuroscientist at the Oxford University Department of Experimental Psychology. He is the lead developer of the @pyControl and @pyPhotometry open source projects. His work links computational accounts of flexible behaviour with large-scale behavioural experiments and neural recording and manipulation approaches, including silicon-probe electrophysiology, fiber photometry, and optogenetics. In this context, pyControl is not merely an experiment-control package, but part of a broader effort to make complex behavioural neuroscience more scalable, transparent, and reproducible.

The pyControl GridMaze is an open and modular behavioral testing system designed for experiments with freely moving rodents. Its unique design of removable bridged allows rapid reconfiguration of the spatial maze layout. Removable bridge modules define the interconnections between towers and enable rapid reconfiguration of the maze’s spatial layout. Built around the open-source pyControl framework, the system enables automated execution of behavioral tasks with precise control of stimuli, rewards, and event timing. The GridMaze is particularly suited for studies involving spatial navigation, decision-making, and cognitive flexibility. It can also be combined with external recording systems such as imaging setups or cameras.

EXPERIMENTAL CAPABILITIES

The system is a modular maze of a 3x3 platform grid. Towers are connected with removable bridges. Tower components allow visual and acoustic cue presentation, and liquid reward delivery. The combination of the mechanical structure, integrated sensors and actuators, and pyControl-based electronics provides a flexible framework for automated behavioral experiments.

The GridMaze can be used for:

Spatial navigation tasks
Cognitive flexibility
Learning and memory experiments
Reward-based behavioral paradigms
Sensory cue-based decision tasks
Experiments synchronized with external recording systems

KEY FEATURES

Fully assembled 3×3 GridMaze system for freely moving rodents.
Nine integrated behavioral platforms.
Automated detection of nose-pokes
Integrated visual and auditory cue presentation
Fluid reward delivery using a central valve-controlled system.
Flexible task programming and adaptation
Modular structure for behavioral neuroscience experiments

GridMaze structural frame with light-tight enclosure
3×3 grid of integrated behavioral platforms, each including:
• IR nose-poke detector
• LED with diffuser (visual cue)
• Audio buzzer (acoustic cue)
• Fluid reward delivery (central valve-controlled system)
pyControl controller with extension boards
Cabling (RJ45-based distribution)
Overhead camera mount with IR illumination
Power supply and cables included

NOT included:

Camera
Camera assembly components
Computer or external recording system, unless specified separately

PUBLICATION

Mohamady El-Gaby, Adam Loyd Harris, James C. R. Whittington, William Dorrell, Arya Bhomick, Mark E. Walton, Thomas Akam & Timothy E. J. Behrens (2024). A cellular basis for mapping behavioural structure. Nature.

Michael Pereira, Beatriz S. Godinho, Christian K. Machens, Rui M. Costa, Thomas Akam (2026). Flexible route planning and rapid structure learning by mice in complex environments. bioRxiv

Peter T. Doohan, Kristopher T. Jensen, Yaqing Chen, Beatriz S. Godinho, Charles D. G. Burns, Chongyu (Xiao) Qin, Josie L. Emery, Ryan J. Cini, Mark E. Walton, Timothy E. J. Behrens, Thomas E. Akam (2026). Structured and flexible representations in medial-frontal cortex support goal-directed navigation. bioRxiv

Thomas Akam, Andy Lustig, James M Rowland, Sampath KT Kapanaiah, Joan Esteve-Agraz, Mariangela Panniello, Cristina Márquez, Michael M Kohl, Dennis Kätzel, Rui M Costa, Mark E Walton (2022). pyControl: Open source, Python-based hardware and software for controlling behavioural neuroscience experiments. eLife.

Documentation Source Code