MUPRO: a multipurpose robot.
The aim of this article was to describe an apparatus, called multipurpose neck robot (MURPO), designed to record both the forces exerted at head level and the head rotations in the horizontal plane in the behaving monkey. It consists of a mechanical device, comprising a cardan joint, a potentiometer, an electromagnetic brake, and four flexion load cells, plus an oleodynamic system allowing head rotation in the horizontal plane between +/- 20o. These components are assembled on a column bolted to the primate's chair. An electrical device provides DC power for the potentiometer and the brake. The apparatus enables us to measure both the force fields and the head movements during training sessions and electrophysiological investigations.
Bon
Leopoldo
L
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Physiology and Interdepartmental Facilities Centre, Section of Polyclinic, University of Modena, Modena, Italy. bonleo@unimo.it
Lucchetti
Cristina
C
Portolan
Flavio
F
Pagan
Mauro
M
D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D019416:Head Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012399:Rotation; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology