Wageningen, 4 March 2002 - Noldus Information Technology, announces the release of EthoVision 2.3, a major upgrade of the most advanced video tracking system for automatic measurement of movements and behavior. "With this release Noldus information Technology again proves to be a top player in the field of scientific software development" says Ruud Tegelenbosch, product manager of EthoVision. "The new feature set of version 2.3 allows the user to automate experimental set-ups that could not be automated before."

Scientists studying animal behavior have an increasing need for accurate quantitative data. Worldwide, pharmaceutical companies, universities, research institutes and commercial test labs are under continuous pressure to increase the quality, efficiency and output of their behavioral research. With years of experience Noldus is aware of these problems and understands that highly sensitive measurement instruments and automated tests are basic requirements for today's behavioral biologist. With this knowledge and in close collaboration with renowned universities and research institutes Noldus developed EthoVision 2.3, the best and most complete video tracking system for the automation of behavioral experiments.

What is EthoVision? EthoVision is a video tracking system for automation of behavioral tests, from the design of the experiment to the statistical analysis of the acquired data. It can be used for almost any kind of behavioral test and subject under a wide range of experimental conditions (whether a study focuses on a mouse in a laboratory cage, a cow in a stable, a fish in an aquarium or an insect in a petri dish). EthoVision is the choice of hundreds of research institutes, universities, contract research labs and commercial companies in the field of pharmacology, toxicology, behavioral neuroscience animal welfare, behavioral ecology and entomology.

Using EthoVision 2.3, scientists can now fully automate tests that could not be properly automated before. With EthoVision 2.3 it is possible to define hidden zones. This important feature enables the system to keep track of animals even when they are not visible to the camera (for instance when an animal goes into a nest box or an insect disappears in a trap). When a zone is marked as 'hidden', the system records the animal as being in the hidden zone from the time it is not detected by the system until it is detected again. Another powerful feature is the event recorder. With this feature, the system can detect all kind of external events, like lever presses or infrared beam crosses. In addition, any behavior that cannot be recognized automatically by EthoVision (e.g. ovi-position, feeding, searching or sexual behavior) or any parameter that needs further fine-tuning (like the automatic detection of individual or social behavior, e.g. rearing) can be scored manually.

For more information, please contact the product manager of EthoVision.