Noldus Information Technology and Blackrock Neurotech sign agreement at SfN for official collaboration!

Noldus Information Technology and Blackrock Neurotech sign agreement at SfN for official collaboration!

October 16, 2024
Noldus partners with Zhejiang Institute of Medical Device Testing

Noldus partners with Zhejiang Institute of Medical Device Testing

September 26, 2024
Noldus software in MARIN’s Seven Oceans Simulator center

Noldus software in MARIN’s Seven Oceans Simulator center

May 31, 2024

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Efficient Laboratory Animal moNitoring (ELAN) kicks off

Efficient Laboratory Animal moNitoring (ELAN) kicks off

May 5, 2024 - Smart home cage for efficient laboratory animal monitoringDeveloping a smart cage for laboratory animals to stimulate natural behavior, to prevent stress and frustration, and to enable continuous accurate measurements in their home environment. Those are the objectives of the project “Efficient Laboratory Animal moNitoring” (ELAN) which had its kick-off last month. ELAN is a collaboration of three Dutch companies - Noldus Information Technology, UNO Life Science Solutions and Brain Builders – and the Radboud University Medical Center.The ELAN consortium aims to develop newly designed home cages equipped with the latest sensor technology and AI to monitor group-housed rats 24/7, rendering valuable scientific data about the animals’ behavior, health and the cage environment. The novel cage should increase the quality and lower the cost of welfare monitoring. By increasing the quantity and quality of research data, while simultaneously improving animal welfare, ELAN will contribute to two important goals of modern biomedical research: refinement and reduction of animal testing.The ELAN project is financed by the European Fund for Regional Development and the Province of Gelderland, The Netherlands, as well as by the consortium partners.Contact Noldus Information Technology BV for more information: [email protected]

Merging behavior and brain activity for enhanced research insights

Merging behavior and brain activity for enhanced research insights

November 7, 2023 - Noldus IT announces partnership with advanced neurotechnology company BitbrainAs a leading provider of tools and solutions for behavioral research, Noldus is proud to announce a collaborative integration that brings together the capabilities with Noldus' comprehensive software and analysis system The Observer XT and Bitbrain's state-of-the-art wearable dry-EEG headset Diadem. This innovative union facilitates a comprehensive exploration of human behavior and neural dynamics, offering researchers a seamless way to combine behavioral data with real-time neural insights.The combination of The Observer XT and the 12 channel Diadem allows researchers to synchronize behavioral observations with neural data, enabling practical applications such as cognitive load assessment, user experience studies, neuromarketing research, and more.Monitoring the real-worldBitbrain® utilizes neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and hardware to create innovative products with a strong emphasis on enhancing customers' lives through real-world applications and research. With their practical hardware, prioritizing customer convenience, speed, simplicity, and reliability, Bitbrain brings mobile, wireless, and ergonomic designs that are easy to set up and deliver exceptional signal quality into Noldus observational lab solutions. Multimodal researchWith neuroscience and psychology research, we strive to achieve a more profound comprehension of behavior, brain, and mind. Through the recording of behavioral and physiological responses to specific stimuli and situations, researchers can reconstruct and analyze the cognitive processes and information utilization within our brain.Comprehensive analysisThe synergy between The Observer XT and Diadem enables researchers to correlate intricate behavioral nuances with real-time neural patterns. This opens doors to a deeper comprehension of cognitive processes and emotional dynamics.Uncovering CorrelationsThe combination of both tools effectively elim
Lucas Noldus appointed as Fellow of the Netherlands Academy of Engineering

Lucas Noldus appointed as Fellow of the Netherlands Academy of Engineering

November 6, 2023 - Technology is the engine for sustainable development. With the appointment of 62 Fellows, the Netherlands Academy of Engineering emphasizes the importance of engineering-based sustainable solutions for, among other things, agriculture, healthcare and the digital society. NAE Fellows are committed to creating an innovation climate where collaboration is central.We are proud that our CEO, Lucas Noldus, has been elected to join this group of experts in the fields of technological sciences, applied research and product development.The NAE was launched in May 2023 as a publicly funded, multidisciplinary forum that unites experts and innovators from the business and scientific sectors in the areas of technological sciences, applied research and product development. The NAE acts as a hub and advisory body for the Dutch knowledge and innovation system, aiming to amplify the voice of the engineering community to influential decisionmakers.Want to know more? Follow the link to the press release of the NAE. NAE press release

Noldus teams up with Institut Pasteur to deliver new software for behavioral neuroscience research

Noldus teams up with Institut Pasteur to deliver new software for behavioral neuroscience research

May 16, 2023 - Noldus Information Technology and Institut Pasteur have collaborated on the development of an innovative solution for automatic tracking and analysis of social behavior in mice. Today we announce the result of this joint effort: a new tool for behavioral neuroscience research, combining Live Mouse Tracker (LMT) and EthoVision XT software. This integration facilitates and enhances the analysis and visualization of LMT data.Live Mouse Tracker was developed by the Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions unit of Institut Pasteur. LMT is a system for real-time behavioral analysis of groups of mice in a dedicated hardware setup. Through the use of RFID, computer vision and machine learning, LMT is able to track multiple mice, extract their individual and social behaviors and assign these parameters to individual animals.EthoVision XT, under continuous development by Noldus Information Technology since its market introduction in 1993, is the most widely used video tracking software for the analysis of behavior, movement and activity of laboratory animals. With the release of version 17.5, LMT data can be imported and analyzed directly in EthoVision XT, which brings all of the functionality and power of EthoVision XT to LMT users. EthoVision XT offers easy organization of LMT trials, which in turn enables data filtering, nesting and analysis. Furthermore, LMT data can be visualized in EthoVision’s graphs and integrated data plots. Lucas Noldus, CEO of Noldus Information Technology, comments: “With this collaboration, the innovative development of Institut Pasteur and Noldus IT’s many years of experience in developing behavior analysis software, are combined to make a step forward in the measurement of social interactions in groups of mice. This will help to advance research on neurodevelopmental conditions and disorders with a social component in which mouse models are used, such as autism, ADHD and schizophrenia.”The Institut Pasteur, a non-profit foundation wi
Combatting wildlife crime using cutting edge video technology

Combatting wildlife crime using cutting edge video technology

April 6, 2023 - In May 2022, our CEO Lucas Noldus and VP Marketing Arjan Veenboer attended the opening of the Wildlife Forensic Academy (WFA) in Buffelsfontein, South Africa, one hour north of Cape Town. WFA founder Andro Vos and his team took a broad group of stakeholders on a tour through their new facility. We were invited to this grand opening because we are a proud partner of the WFA. So, how are things going ten months later? Time to talk to Andro Vos about the developments and experiences since the opening in 2022. What is the Wildlife Forensic Academy?History The WFA was founded by Andro Vos. Andro has over 20 years of experience in human crime scene investigation from his work at the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI). During a visit to South Africa he came into contact with an entirely different kind of crime scene. He was invited to the Kruger Park to learn about wildlife crime. There Andro witnessed the cadaver of a poached rhinoceros. The whole experience stuck with him and he decided that he needed to do something to stop this rampant wildlife poaching.Wildlife crime is the organized poaching and selling of animals, and is unfortunately one of the biggest illegal businesses in terms of revenue (30 billion dollars worldwide annually). It also facilitates many other types of crime through its distribution chain. Animals are traded for weapons and drugs and they can carry zoonotic diseases. Furthermore, poaching causes the local ecosystems (where animals are taken and from where they are shipped) to be disturbed. When hearing about wildlife crime, one might think only about killed rhinos and elephants. But actually, Andro told us that most poaching is actually done at sea. The poaching of abalone for consumption is a major problem in South Africa especially. Andro Vos says that, “a major problem in combatting poaching is getting the case through the legal system. A case doesn’t go to conviction without evidence, and gathering evidence is what us
Introducing NoldusHub, the all-in-one research tool for human behavior studies

Introducing NoldusHub, the all-in-one research tool for human behavior studies

January 26, 2023 - Noldus Information Technology has released NoldusHub, a brand-new all-in-one research system for human behavior studies. This software tool will streamline multimodal research from start to finish, providing high-quality data, better understanding of, and insights into human behavior. As a leading developer with over 30 years’ experience, Noldus Information Technology uses the latest technologies to develop cutting-edge tools for science and practice. These allow customers to measure a wealth of modalities, from behavior and physiology to emotion, cognition, and user experience. “I am very pleased to welcome NoldusHub as a new member of our product family for human behavior research. It addresses an urgent need of scientists who need a versatile tool for multimodal research that is powerful yet easy to use.”Lucas Noldus (CEO)|Noldus Information Technology, The NetherlandsAbout NoldusHubThe design of NoldusHub follows from our mission to advance human behavior research, and help scientists to overcome any technical challenges along the way. Combining multiple types of measurements can be demanding, especially when using acquisition tools from different manufacturers that have to be calibrated, started, and synchronized. From setting up your equipment to connecting all devices, from recording to visualizing in a clear way, NoldusHub makes multimodal research easy. The system collects data from a webcam, eye tracker, and physiological devices, resulting in the synchronization of a variety of signals and behavioral input. From ECG, and EDA, to PPG, NoldusHub can measure it.Your data in a heartbeatAnd NoldusHub does not stop after acquisition. Based on the experimental data gathered, NoldusHub creates valuable insights, both during and after data collection. For example: we have integrated elements of FaceReader, for trustworthy facial expression recognition and analysis.Unique to NoldusHub is its ability to run multiple experiments at once. The syst
Noldus Information Technology achieves ISO 27001 information security certification

Noldus Information Technology achieves ISO 27001 information security certification

November 21, 2022 - Noldus Information Technology BV has achieved ISO 27001 certification for its Information Security Management System (ISMS). The audit for compliance with ISO 27001 (in full: ISO/IEC 27001:2013) was completed by an accredited third-party certification body.ISO 27001 is an internationally recognized standard that outlines and provides the specifications for an ISMS, providing guidance on how to protect and manage an organization’s information through effective risk management. Compliance with ISO 27001 demonstrates that Noldus Information Technology uses internationally recognized processes and best practices to manage its internal information infrastructure and systems that support and deliver its services to customers and partners.Alexander Weggeman, Noldus’ Information Security Officer, comments: “I am proud of our achievement. By interviewing professionals throughout the organization, I was able to see Noldus through their eyes. It made me realize that we are improving our policies, procedures, and processes continuously. ISO 27001 helps us focus on lowering risks and preventing incidents. In a systematic way, that is.”He adds: “It really makes me smile when I see my colleagues working, adhering to the standards we have agreed upon. Being awarded the ISO 27001 certificate means that our customers can be confident that our internal processes comply with the highest information security standards.”This success is due not only to the efforts of our QA team and committed employees, but also to the input from our partners, customers, and suppliers.
Monitoring our bees: why and how

Monitoring our bees: why and how

September 14, 2022 - In the Noldus’ garden, it is good to be for the bees. There is plenty of space, where they can find a good deal of pollen and where enough nectar-giving flowers and plants grow, including on the green roof of the building. Nearby are lots of trees and the canal (Nieuwe Kanaal) offers them water. A honeybee needs all these ingredients to stay alive: pollen, nectar, and water.Sustainable beekeepingNoldus helps the bees by providing them a safe place to stay. Since a couple of years, we have multiple hives with bee colonies that we take care of. The bee committee, consisting of several colleagues, did a basic beekeeping course to learn what needs to be done during the year to allow the bees to function optimally.At Noldus, we think the survival of the bees is important. As the main pollinators of our crops, such as fruit, we cannot live without these impressive creatures. The most important crops for human consumption are 80% dependent on pollination. Optimal pollination is essential to supply the growing world population with sufficient vitamins and minerals.That is why we put a lot of effort into maintaining our bee colonies, and proudly mention them on the 'About Noldus' webpage as one of our core values.The most important job of beekeepers is monitoringAs beekeepers, we regularly check how our bees are doing. Reliable insight into the health status of each bee colony and timely intervention if the health status deteriorates is essential for sustainable beekeeping management and optimal pollination capacity.During our inspections, we pay attention to all sorts of things. Do they bring in pollen? Are they calm or restless? Do they have enough food? Do we see indications of possible diseases? How do the colonies grow? And when they grow, are their hives big enough, or are there signs that they want to swarm? Do they need more space?
Noldus’ green roof reflects the dry summer season

Noldus’ green roof reflects the dry summer season

August 17, 2022 - Last year, we decided to convert two pebble-covered roofs of our Wageningen office into green roofs, with a biodiverse vegetation cover. Now we see every day how the vegetation changes. Per hour, per day, per season. Experiencing a very dry summer, we realize even more that our impact is important. We opened our current international headquarters in 2005 in Wageningen, The Netherlands. Today that building houses three beehives, a green roof with biodiverse vegetation covering, sedum roof, and 122 solar panels. The sedum roof covers the building’s social area and canteen. The green roof covers the entrance. The surrounding grounds are planted with native trees and shrubs, and managed without use of chemicals. Especially the green roof covering our main entrance now noticeably reflects the dry summer.Companies of any size can make a difference The Dutch national weather service KNMI reports that this year is well on its way to being extremely dry. It turns out that the sun is the biggest driver of the drought, just like in the extremely sunny year 2020 [1]. We believe that companies of any size can make a difference in sustainability. So next to realizing that we need to act in a sustainable matter, we also contribute to the local initiative ‘Wageningen Klimaatneutraal’ [2] where over 50 'climate partners' are working together on a climate neutral Wageningen by 2030. Already in 2018, Noldus stopped using gas. Alderman Lara de Brito commented back then: “Noldus is the first existing company to completely get rid of gas, which is really special. I'm impressed. From the start, they have been a climate partner that really inspires.” [3] Research on the roofSo with our own eyes we observe changes on our roof, but there is also a scientist involved. Eva Drukker, researcher at Wageningen University and Research (WUR), the Netherlands uses our green roofs for her PhD research to look into the effect of green roofs on biodiversity, in particular the dive