A versatile and robust open-source behavioural tracking system aimed at quantifying 2D locomotion in insects. The software uses a dynamic learning algorithm to gather information about the animals being tracked and improve its performance on the fly. Built in C++ using the open-source computer vision library, OpenCV.
- Inputs video files (.avi, .mp4); real-time processing (e.g. from live webcam feed) not currently supported
- Analyse 48+ areas simultaneously in one video, provided one object per area
- Automatic recognition of circular areas; use of custom mask for more complex experimental designs
- Robust to heterogeneous and fluctuating conditions (e.g. changes in lighting, moderate changes in background).
- Data processing and ready-made outputs available using integrated R package, 'RUbitrail'
GUI during analysis of a setup consisting of 6 Petri dishes, each containing an adult Tenebrio molitor beetle.
Tracking video during analysis a setup consisting a 12-well plate, with each well containing a Drosophila melanogaster adult. Each well subdivided to denote sub-territories (pink and indigo circles); here, plain water and sugar water.
A sample heatmap from an experimental design with 6 areas, overlaid onto a frame taken from the video. Yellow shows areas visited most frequently, blue less frequently.