pyControl GridMaze Hub Board

The pyControl GridMaze is an open and modular behavioral testing system designed for experiments with freely moving rodents. 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 learning experiments. It can also be combined with external recording systems such as cameras or imaging setups.

The pyControl GridMaze Hub Board is the central control interface for the pyControl GridMaze electronic architecture. It connects the pyboard microcontroller to the expander boards (with 8 tower ports each), enabling coordinated control of multiple tower-based interaction modules.

This component is intended for building, replacing, or maintaining the main electronic control layer of a GridMaze setup and supports scalable configurations through connection to multiple expander boards.

• Central control interface for GridMaze electronics
• Connects the pyboard microcontroller to maze expander boards
• Supports scalable configurations through multiple expander-board connections
• Enables coordinated control of multiple tower interaction points
• Suitable for replacement, maintenance, or new system builds

• Maze Hub PCB with pyboard microcontroller module
• Power supply
• Micro USB cable

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.