Infrared Activity Frames for Measuring Locomotor Activity in Mice and Rats
The ActiMot3 module is designed to study voluntary activity in home cages under stress-free conditions in long-term experiments. Our infrared activity frame uses extra-fast infrared sensors for a comprehensive activity analysis in the XYZ axis. With a unique 5mm sensor spacing, it delivers unparalleled spatial resolution, ideal for mouse studies. Our software offers detailed analysis of fine and ambulatory movements, activity differentiation, and over 100 result parameters.
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Operate under all light conditions – even in complete darkness
Unique sensor spacing of 5mm in mice (1.25mm digital resolution) – no activity is missed
Differentiate between activity & resting periods
XY level detects stationary and ambulatory movement
The Z sensor level monitors rearing and jumping
Integrated lid holder for comfortable change of cages
The ActiMot3 frames are seamlessly integrated with other PhenoMaster modules like drinking and feeding systems, running wheels, operant walls, and indirect calorimetry setups. With all cage components suspended from the lid, movement detection remains uninhibited. Additionally, the ActiMot frames can also be utilized as stand-alone systems for various behavioral tests, including Open Field, Light-Dark, and Hole-Board tests. This versatility allows for comprehensive behavioral analysis across different testing paradigms.
Regions of interest allow zone-specific analyses
Customized analysis – a variety of movement thresholds
More than 100 parameters are calculated from the raw data
Differentiate between activity and resting periods – precious in metabolic studies
Output speed, latencies, rearing, jumping and more
Detailed graphical analyses: actograms, the pattern of movement, histograms, spatial graphs
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PhenoMaster NG provides a comprehensive and modular solution for quantifying both spontaneous and forced activity in rodents. Inside each metabolic cage, physical activity is continuously recorded through the ActiMot3 infrared system, which detects every movement without disturbing the animals. Because activity and metabolism are tightly linked, all activity data are perfectly synchronized with indirect calorimetry, feeding, and body weight measurements — allowing researchers to interpret locomotor behavior in full physiological context.
The ActiMot3 is a high-precision infrared beam frame composed of 32 beams on the X-axis and 64 on the Y-axis, scanning the bottom of the cage at a sampling rate of 100 Hz. Each beam interruption is processed in real time to determine position, distance, and movement patterns. Using centroid calculation, ActiMot3 achieves a spatial resolution of 1.25 mm, providing unparalleled accuracy for long-term, stress-free home-cage monitoring.
The ActiMot3 module allows over 100 parameters to be extracted through the PhenoMaster software, including: • Total distance traveled and average speed • Number and duration of rearing and jumping events • Time spent active vs. inactive • Zone-specific exploration and thigmotaxis • Circadian activity patterns and rest-wake cycles Researchers can easily visualize and export data through actograms, movement maps, and histograms for publication or further statistical analysis.
Yes. Because ActiMot3 relies on infrared technology, it operates flawlessly under any lighting condition — from full light to complete darkness. This makes it ideal for chronobiology and circadian rhythm studies, where light–dark cycles must remain undisturbed, and ensures consistent data even when combined with red-light inspection in climate chambers.
TSE Systems offers a complete suite of exercise and motor performance modules: • Running Wheel Module — for voluntary locomotion and endurance studies • Weightlifting Module — for resistance and strength training • CaloTreadmill — for controlled, acute treadmill exercise with real-time calorimetry • CaloWheel — for prolonged, motorized wheel training combined with indirect calorimetry
All modules can be used independently or in combination, allowing researchers to study both spontaneous and structured exercise paradigms.
Every movement or workload parameter (distance, speed, resistance, duration) is automatically synchronized with metabolic, feeding, and physiological data through the PhenoMaster software. This temporal alignment enables direct analysis of how exercise influences energy expenditure (EE), substrate utilization (RER), and behavioral adaptation — offering a complete picture of animal metabolism in motion.
All modules are designed with built-in safety features. The Running Wheel uses smooth, open stainless-steel construction to prevent injuries and is magnetically detachable for easy cleaning. The Weightlifting Module uses adjustable resistance hinges, avoiding forced stress. In the CaloTreadmill, integrated sensors detect fatigue or immobility, automatically stopping the protocol to protect the animal. Together, these features guarantee safe, ethical, and repeatable exercise paradigms fully aligned with 3R principles.
Yes. Activity and access modules can be combined to create motivation-based or conditioning tasks, such as linking wheel access to food or water availability, or coupling resistance training with reward delivery. These flexible paradigms are ideal for studying effort-based decision-making, learning, and motivation, enabling advanced behavioral neuroscience within the same metabolic platform.