About
EthoVision XT is the world's leading video tracking and behavioral analysis software developed by Noldus Information Technology. Designed for life science researchers, it enables automated tracking and behavioral quantification of a wide range of species, including mice, rats, zebrafish, and insects, without requiring manual observation. The software uses advanced AI models and computer vision algorithms to detect and distinguish animals in real time, even during social interactions. Researchers can extract dozens of behavioral parameters—such as velocity, distance moved, zone entries, and social behaviors like following, approach, leaving, and social contact—directly from video recordings. EthoVision XT 19 introduced major improvements to multi-subject tracking and AI-powered animal discrimination, reducing post-recording processing time from minutes to seconds. The new Noldus Calibration Card allows one-click camera focusing and arena calibration, dramatically simplifying experimental setup. Built-in experiment templates let users get started quickly across a wide variety of validated paradigms, including open field, Morris water maze, elevated plus maze, and fear conditioning. The platform integrates seamlessly with Noldus hardware such as PhenoTyper home cages and DanioVision zebrafish systems. EthoVision XT is trusted by thousands of research labs worldwide and is particularly suited for studies in learning and memory, fear and anxiety, social interaction, gait and locomotion, and drug efficacy testing. A free trial is available, with full licensing offered for academic and commercial research institutions.
Key Features
- AI-Powered Animal Detection: Uses advanced AI models to automatically detect and distinguish individual animals during recordings, even during close social interactions, delivering results in seconds.
- Multi-Subject Tracking: Simultaneously tracks multiple animals and captures social behavior parameters including following, leaving, approach, and social contact for group studies.
- Built-In Experiment Templates: Includes pre-configured templates for validated behavioral paradigms—open field, maze tests, fear conditioning—enabling fast, standardized experiment setup.
- One-Click Arena Calibration: The new Noldus Calibration Card allows researchers to focus cameras and calibrate arena settings with a single click, reducing manual setup time significantly.
- Broad Species Support: Tracks rodents, zebrafish, insects, and other species within a single platform, making it versatile for cross-species behavioral research programs.
Use Cases
- Quantifying rodent locomotion and anxiety levels in open field and elevated plus maze experiments for neuroscience and pharmacology research.
- Analyzing social interaction and group dynamics in multi-animal studies by tracking approach, following, and contact behaviors automatically.
- Evaluating zebrafish behavioral responses to drugs or environmental stimuli in aquatic behavioral assays.
- Assessing learning and memory in mice using Morris water maze or fear conditioning paradigms with automated zone tracking.
- Conducting long-term home cage monitoring of rodent activity patterns using integration with PhenoTyper automated housing systems.
Pros
- Industry-Leading Accuracy: Recognized as the world's #1 video tracker, EthoVision XT delivers highly precise behavioral data trusted by thousands of research labs globally.
- Rapid Data Readiness: AI model improvements in v19 reduce post-recording processing from minutes to seconds, accelerating research workflows considerably.
- Comprehensive Behavioral Metrics: Automatically extracts dozens of behavioral parameters, eliminating the need for manual scoring and reducing observer bias in experimental data.
- Seamless Hardware Integration: Integrates natively with Noldus hardware including PhenoTyper, DanioVision, and maze systems for an end-to-end experimental solution.
Cons
- High Cost: As a commercial research-grade platform, EthoVision XT licensing can be expensive, particularly for smaller labs or institutions with limited budgets.
- Narrow Target Audience: The software is purpose-built for animal behavioral research, making it unsuitable for general-purpose video analysis or non-life-science applications.
- Windows-Only Platform: EthoVision XT runs exclusively on Windows desktop environments, which may be a limitation for labs using macOS or Linux workstations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What animals can EthoVision XT track?
EthoVision XT can track a wide range of species including mice, rats, other rodents, zebrafish, insects, and more. It is designed to handle both single-animal and multi-animal scenarios across different experimental setups.
Is there a free trial available?
Yes, Noldus offers a free trial of EthoVision XT so researchers can evaluate the software before purchasing a full license.
How does EthoVision XT use AI?
EthoVision XT uses AI models to automatically detect, distinguish, and track individual animals—even during social interactions—greatly improving accuracy and reducing manual post-processing time.
What behavioral parameters does EthoVision XT measure?
The software measures dozens of parameters including velocity, distance moved, zone entries and duration, freezing, and social behaviors such as following, approach, leaving, and social contact introduced in version 19.
Does EthoVision XT integrate with other Noldus products?
Yes, EthoVision XT integrates seamlessly with Noldus hardware and software such as PhenoTyper home cages, DanioVision zebrafish systems, The Observer XT, and other lab tools for a complete behavioral research ecosystem.
