In September 2026, researchers at Cornell University presented the WILD device — a wireless recorder lighter than an American ten-cent coin and shaped like a tiny chef's hat. It makes it possible for the first time to record the activity of groups of neurons in small animals moving freely in their natural environment rather than in laboratory cages.
Previously, neurophysiologists could either record brain signals in detail under controlled laboratory conditions or observe the behavior of animals in the field, but wired equipment prevented combining the two approaches. The new modular device solves this problem: flexible probes record neuronal activity for months, while additional units track movement, orientation, vocalizations, and eye movements. Recording lasts from three to nine hours continuously, and with energy savings — considerably longer.
In field experiments north of the Cornell campus, the device for the first time recorded the activity of "place cells" in mice exploring a large open enclosure. These neurons, responsible for spatial memory, were activated differently than in cramped laboratory mazes. Such data help to understand how animals navigate and remember the landscape under real conditions.
The technology is already being used by colleagues to study birds, bats, and monkeys. It makes it possible to observe how the brain responds to changes in the weather, the appearance of predators, or social interactions within a group — processes that cannot be reproduced in a cage. This is especially important for understanding how species adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
The development not only expands scientific horizons but also opens up practical prospects: knowing exactly how animals perceive and remember the world around them makes it possible to assess more accurately the impact of human activity on their behavior and to develop more effective conservation measures.
